Bishop Steve Breedlove says his investigation led to a lack of justice 

In an email to his diocese, Bishop Breedlove writes:

To The Diocese of Christ our Hope:
 
Greetings to you in Jesus Christ, Lord of the Church. Within the context of the celebration of All Saints Day, reflecting on the wonder of the Church on earth and in heaven, I am writing to offer a public apology for actions related to the long-standing investigation into complaints against the Rev. Dan Claire, Church of the Resurrection, Washington, DC, that was ended in June 2024.
 
This matter has been a difficult season of frustration and disappointment for our entire Diocese during what is otherwise a larger story of God’s great kindness and blessing throughout our service to Christ’s Kingdom together. On the eve of our upcoming ninth Diocesan Synod, I am writing personally to offer my sincere apology to all those involved. 
 
As the Bishop Ordinary, I take full responsibility for an investigatory process and conclusion that has been long, painful, and misguided. My greatest desire was (and is) that we will take any allegations against clergy seriously, bring our best efforts to bear in properly investigating these allegations, care pastorally for all involved, afford proper support and protection to clergy in such processes, and do all we can to achieve justice and godly resolution in all Title IV considerations. As we conclude this matter, clearly those desires were not realized. To the complainants, Rev. Claire, and all those harmed in this process, I ask for forgiveness for this deeply flawed and painful experience.
 
Though I earnestly sought counsel and advice from more experienced bishops and legal advisors, I oversaw a process that nevertheless:

• Lacked properly researched preparedness and shape for a legitimate Title IV disciplinary process.
• Did not set a clear scope, plan, or expectations for an investigation or for possible outcomes of that investigation.
• Did not research and secure a proper investigatory team to conduct the interview process.
• Created confusion and committed mistakes throughout the process. 
• Communicated poorly to the parties involved and their church(es).
• Was beset by delays in responses, unclear decisions, and unclear results. 
• Resulted in a defective investigation that led to pain and confusion, discord, and a lack of justice for all parties. 

As a result of the problems and failures of the investigatory process, the Diocese employed Grand River Solutions to thoroughly review all that had happened under my watch. They recommended several important elements for a revised, reliable process for the future. Since then, we have continued to review, research, and listen and learn from the complainants, the respondent, church leaders, and skilled legal advisers in order to produce a thoroughly revamped Title IV process for the future. 

Here are some areas that were on the table as we revised our diocesan disciplinary mechanism:

• A need for healthy congregational conflict resolution processes to resolve conflict locally whenever possible.
  • The diocese is working with our Colleges of Presbyters and Deacons to develop and apply processes that deal with conflict in churches in a Christlike, biblical way, whenever possible (knowing that some issues may require Title IV process). 
• Greater understanding of the Title IV canons and their practical implications for our processes.
  • This includes the appropriate, normative use of Godly Admonitions as a tool to offer protection for all parties and direction for clergy during the conduct of an investigation.
• Clear and reliable communication to all parties regarding the process that will be followed, including protocols, timelines, specific steps, and potential outcomes.
• Consistent communication with all parties involved, including vestries (to help them with the impact of a Title IV investigation within the local church).
• Detailed best practices for interviewing parties in the fact-finding investigation that will enable objective evaluation of complaints. 
• Clarity on using proper channels of communications, including appropriate support for individuals to enable and guard confidentiality (while also avoiding isolation) throughout the investigatory process.
• Plans for ensuring care and pastoral protection for all parties throughout the process, and even after the process when necessary.  

All these needs have been addressed in a thoroughly reworked customary for canonical investigatory processes that is available on this link, posted permanently on the DCOH website. We continue to work on other aspects of internal and Title IV disciplinary processes.
 
Next Steps
 
It has been the greatest honor of my ministry to serve as the Bishop Ordinary of this diocese, and I continue to marvel at what God has done among us. Please know my deepest affection and sincere appreciation for your partnership and service in the work of Christ’s Kingdom. Nevertheless, I have been deeply troubled by this painful ordeal, and I solicit your prayers that God will pour out his mercy on all those particularly impacted by this difficult season. As I transition to new ministry roles, I pledge to continue to work for forgiveness and personal reconciliation with all the parties involved and will reach out directly to them in conjunction with this letter.
 
I am aware that my successor will continue to review and seek to improve our Title IV processes. That process will include further hearing from all parties who were involved in this difficult era of our life, as they are able, to ensure our diocese has an excellent response and process for any complaints that may arise against clergy and laity of this diocese.  
 
As we continue through this day we call “All Saints,” it is particularly poignant to reflect on the fact that the people who are behind words like “complainant” and “respondent” are people with whom we will spend eternity as members of the Church Triumphant. That is actually cause for great hope. We hope toward a time when all things will be brought into the light, the justice of God will be fulfilled, the comfort and kindness of the Spirit will be poured out on each of us, and all of us will be washed in a cleansing, healing tide of underserved mercy and grace won for us by Jesus. May each of us have the desire and strength to live toward that eternal hope of “all saints” in this life.

(end of email)