MARYLAND: Diocesan Standing Committee asks Hit-and-Run Bishop for her Resignation
By David W. Virtue DD
www.virtueonline.org
January 28, 2015
The Diocese of Maryland has asked Bishop Suffragan Heather Cook to resign from the Diocese of Maryland following a hit and run accident resulting in the death of a cyclist.
The Standing Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland has requested Heather Cook's resignation as bishop suffragan in a letter sent through her lawyer on January 27. On Dec 27, 2014, Heather Cook hit and killed cyclist Thomas Palermo, 41, and has been charged by police with vehicular manslaughter, driving under the influence, and texting while driving, among other charges."
By David W. Virtue DD
www.virtueonline.org
January 28, 2015
The Diocese of Maryland has asked Bishop Suffragan Heather Cook to resign from the Diocese of Maryland following a hit and run accident resulting in the death of a cyclist.
The Standing Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland has requested Heather Cook's resignation as bishop suffragan in a letter sent through her lawyer on January 27. On Dec 27, 2014, Heather Cook hit and killed cyclist Thomas Palermo, 41, and has been charged by police with vehicular manslaughter, driving under the influence, and texting while driving, among other charges."
It was clear that our lay and clergy leaders on the Standing Committee felt that the best interests of the diocese would be served were Heather to resign. Since this does not impede the Episcopal Church's investigation into the matter, it is my hope Heather will see the wisdom in this recommendation," said the Right Rev. Eugene Taylor Sutton, bishop of Maryland.
The Episcopal Diocese of Maryland is acting as swiftly as it can in the context of the Episcopal Church's disciplinary action, Title IV, currently underway. While Cook cannot resign her orders as a bishop while the disciplinary process is underway, nothing prevents her from resigning as an employee of the Diocese of Maryland.
You can read the Standing Committee's letter here: http://latestnews.episcopalmaryland.org/ or here:
http://latestnews.episcopalmaryland.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/letter-to-bp-cook-01-26-2015.pdf
The Episcopal Diocese of Maryland is acting as swiftly as it can in the context of the Episcopal Church's disciplinary action, Title IV, currently underway. While Cook cannot resign her orders as a bishop while the disciplinary process is underway, nothing prevents her from resigning as an employee of the Diocese of Maryland.
You can read the Standing Committee's letter here: http://latestnews.episcopalmaryland.org/ or here:
http://latestnews.episcopalmaryland.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/letter-to-bp-cook-01-26-2015.pdf