The Episcopal Church's revised clergy disciplinary canons (Title IV) went into effect on July 1.
Clergy disciplinary matters were formerly brought to the bishop or the Standing Committee of the diocese. Now, all matters are reported to an intake officer, initiating a process toward resolution through pastoral care, mediation, an agreement with the bishop, an investigation that may lead to a hearing or any combination of these.
The intake officer for the Diocese of Massachusetts is the Rev. Canon Mally Lloyd, Canon to the Ordinary (617-482-4826, ext. 402 or mallyl@diomass.org). Anyone may contact her to report concerns about the behavior of a member of the clergy (priests, deacons, bishops). More information about the Title IV canons and process is available here.
"For the first time, Title IV is based on theological underpinnings," Lloyd said in a July 1 e-mail announcement to clergy, wardens and diocesan leadership. "There is certainly room for improvement and much to debate in this current edition of the title, and I'm sure General Convention 2012 will see many amendments put forward. But the move toward a transparent and pastoral process is admirable," she said.
A nine-member diocesan Disciplinary Board is in place, as required by the new canons, with members elected at Diocesan Convention in November 2010. They are: Charles Curdi, Robert Parke, the Rev. Kathryn Piccard, the Rev. Andrew Stoessel, the Rev. Michael Hodges, Peter Trenouth, the Rev. Kit Lonergan, Lois Murphey and the Rev. Christine Whittaker, who serves as the board's president.
Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori has appointed Bishop M. Thomas Shaw, SSJE of Massachusetts to the Episcopal Church's Disciplinary Board for Bishops established by the canons now in effect. That board comprises 10 bishops, four members of the clergy and four members of the laity.