Clergy Misconduct and Discipline
Explore the guidelines and process of Title IV Canons for Ecclesiastical Discipline, providing an overview of the Episcopal Church’s framework for addressing misconduct and promoting accountability among clergy members.
Title IV Canons for Ecclesiastical Discipline
“By virtue of Baptism, all members of the Church are called to holiness of life and accountability to one another. The Church and each Diocese shall support their members in their life in Christ and seek to resolve conflicts by promoting healing, repentance, forgiveness, restitution, justice, amendment of life, and reconciliation among all involved or affected. This Title applies to Members of the Clergy, who have by their vows at ordination accepted additional responsibilities and accountabilities for doctrine, discipline, worship and obedience.”
Title IV of the Episcopal Church Canons details the grounds and process for ecclesiastical discipline.
It is a church-wide structure to address claims that Bishops, Priests, or Deacons may have engaged in conduct constituting an offense under the Canons.
It encourages accountability, justice, reconciliation, restoration, and pastoral responses.
Information regarding material and substantial offenses is reported to a designated Intake Officer. Notify an Intake Officer by phone, e-mail, or letter. The Intake Officers are listed below. We recommend contacting the intake officer closest to you, but ultimately the person reporting can contact any intake officer they choose.
The Rev. Deacon Robert Gay
Email: rggay1971@aol.com
Cell Phone: 757-784-5962
Address: 204 Mill Stream Way, Williamsburg, VA 23185
The Rev. Susan Grimm
Email: susaninmidlo@yahoo.com
Cell Phone: 434-738-3171
St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church
111 Sixth St., Clarksville, VA 23927
Please note that the Title IV Canons address offenses by clergy. To report misconduct committed by a lay person:
Notify the rector or other clergy person on staff of the layperson’s church or of the church of the offended person. The clergy person should then call the Office of the Bishop or the Office of the Canon to the Ordinary at 757-213-3390.
All suspected child abuse or sexual misconduct must also be reported to Child Protective Services. Call the statewide toll-free hotline 800-552-7096 to make the initial report. Or call the local Social Services office.
In reporting to Child Protective Services, it is helpful for the reporter to provide as much of the following as possible: the name and address of the child and the parent or person responsible for his/her care; the child’s age, sex and race; a description of the alleged abuse and neglect including how long it may have been happening; the name of the school the child attends; the names of other people, especially children, in the home; the reporter’s relationship to the child. Do report even if you are unable to provide all the information. The person reporting abuse to Child Protective Services is not required to give their name.
If you suspect abuse, neglect or exploitation of an adult over age 60, or an incapacitated adult over the age of 18, call the Adult Protective Services hotline of the Virginia Department of Social Services at 888-832-3858.