
Dear Ms. Claire Brickson, Ms. Mary Margaret Murdock, and Sewanee Undergraduates,
We commend you for your courageous action and join you in solidarity as you seek to shape a more just Sewanee community. As seminarians of the Episcopal Church and your fellow students, we offer the following affirmations.
We believe that perpetrators of sexual assault must be held accountable for the consequences of their sinful actions. Forgiveness without repentance is cheap grace. True repentance requires amendment of life and restitution. There are occasions when sin is so notorious and public that, when insufficiently addressed, it tears apart the fabric of our communal life. Furthermore, we believe it is not appropriate for Sewanee to offer forgiveness on behalf of survivors of sexual assault.
We believe “we must confess and repent of those times when the church, its ministers or its members have been antagonistic or unresponsive to people—women, children and men— who have been sexually exploited or abused” (see here). We believe the church has a central role in upholding moral authority and seeking justice. We do not always get this right, and when we fail, we must confront the truth and commit to reconciling work.
We believe Ecce Quam Bonum, living in unity with one another, means that we all have a role to play in improving our campus’ sexual climate. As your fellow students, we are grateful for all of your efforts to create a safer and more reflective culture where all persons truly are respected and given dignity. We commit to working with you to realize this future.
Yours,
Warren Swenson, Diocese of West Missouri
Mark Nabors, Diocese of Arkansas
Kellan Day, Diocese of Western Michigan
Hannah Pommersheim, Diocese of Texas
Polly Robb, Diocese of Alabama
Marion Sprott-Goldson, Diocese of North Carolina
James Yazell, Diocese of West Missouri
David Burman, Diocese of East Tennessee
The Rev. Arthur L. Jones, III, Diocese of Georgia
The Rev. Regina Brewster-Jenkins, Diocese of Louisiana
Allison Mackenzie Caudill, Diocese of Kentucky
The Rev. Janice Head, Diocese of Colorado
Susan Sanders, Diocese of Central Pennsylvania
Ryan Currie, Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast
Dr. Caroline Carson, Diocese of Louisiana
Garrett Boyte, Diocese of Western Louisiana
Stephanie Fox, Diocese of Arkansas
Melissa Howell, Diocese of Massachusetts
Noah Stansbury, Diocese of Pennsylvania
The Rev. Matt Farr, Diocese of East Tennessee
The Rev. Claire Brown, Diocese of East Tennessee
Walker Adams, M.A. Student
Holly Burris, Diocese of Mississippi
Brandon Hudson, Diocese of Arkansas
Nathaniel Darville, Diocese of Alabama
The Rev. Elizabeth Langford Farr, Diocese of East Tennessee
Melissa Kean, Diocese of Colorado
Bradley Bates, Diocese of Georgia
Nina Vest Salmon, Diocese of Southwestern Virginia
Leann Wigner, Diocese of Northwest Texas
The Rev. Sinclair Ender, Diocese of Iowa
Bernadette Hartsough, Diocese of Northern Indiana
John Simpson, Diocese of Southwestern Virginia
Caroline Holmes, C’17, M.A. Student
Andrew McLarty, Diocese of Mississippi
Michael Cannon, Diocese of Upper South Carolina
Murdock Jones, Diocese of Arkansas
Christopher M. Bridges, Diocese of Hawaii
The Rev. Melanie Rowell, Diocese of Atlanta
Elizabeth Harden, Diocese of Utah
Les Hegwood, Diocese of Mississippi
Kevin Antonio Smallwood, Diocese of Western Massachusetts
Cameron Spoor, Diocese of Texas
David T. Goodpaster, Diocese of Lexington
Maribeth Manoff, Diocese of East Tennessee
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