Explanation

The truth-telling of the #metoo movement of women, girls, as well as men, who have been victims of gender-based discrimination, harassment, and violence confronts us with a truth particularly women have been speaking for centuries, yet has been ignored. This truth cannot be ignored anymore, particularly in the Church. As the Body of Christ in the world, we are called in a particular way to model the Gospel mandate of confession and reconciliation. This Resolution begins this process, inviting us to be courageous in our truth-telling. The Episcopal Church does not yet know the full truth of the experience of gender-based discrimination, harassment, and violence inflicted upon its clergy and laypeople by those in power and the systems of the Church that do not respect the dignity of every human being. Other denominations have modeled this work for us. In 2017, the United Methodist Church surveyed 4300 lay and clergy leaders about sexual misconduct. The results of that survey indicated that 64% of clergy and 31% of laity had experienced sexual misconduct in the church, ranging from assault to inappropriate comments to uncomfortable touching and closeness. We propose adapting that survey for the Episcopal context so that we can begin the process of sharing the truth of gender-based discrimination, harassment, and violence in our church, that we may be guided by Christ in the work of reconciliation and justice.