Earlier today, clergy in the Diocese of Easton learned that Santosh Marray, the bishop diocesan, has agreed to delegated episcopal pastoral oversight (DEPO) for the Shrewsbury parish, as well as other churches within the Diocese that wish to make alternative arrangements for episcopal care and visitations.
The move comes after a fraught Title IV clergy disciplinary process, resulted from bullying, threats of retaliation, violations of Title IV-mandated confidentiality, and other highly inappropriate conduct on Marray’s part. In most cases, it appears Marray’s conduct is motivated by anti-LGBTQ+ animus.
Additionally, Marray has refused to fulfill his job requirements at parishes he perceives as somehow disloyal, including refusing to conduct episcopal visitations or sign paperwork required under church canons. Thus, in multiple cases, Marray has punished innocent church members who have not even arguably done anything wrong.
To that, all we can say is it must be nice to have a job where you can ignore the parts you don’t want to do.
What is further telling about the Easton situation is that Marray requested the DEPO arrangements. That is in stark contrast to the usual situation, in which a bishop wants to visit a parish but the church objects, historically in the context of support for same-sex marriage.
Anglican Watch commends and supports this arrangement for DEPO.
Challenges within Easton
At the same time, however, this seems like a lot of time and trouble to accomodate someone — Marray himself — who is not in any way mediating Christ through his actions. And let’s face it: It’s not like Easton is awash in a sea of cash.
Moreover, Easton has lots of issues, including Marray’s program to ordain priests outside the regular, seminary-focused process. On that matter, Anglican Watch recognizes the looming shortage of clergy, and the fact that a seminary education leaves many clergy woefully unprepared for parish life. These educational gaps include clergy ethics, leaving us increasingly dismayed at the lack of integrity we see in many clergy today.
That said, Marray’s program, which some jokingly refer to as “drive-through ordination,” is not the solution. Indeed, many complain that the challenges facing priests with a more traditional education are exacerbated, rather than improved, for candidates coming through Marray’s program.
Meanwhile, there is a discussion within Easton about possible merger or collaboration with other, neighboring dioceses. These proposals make excellent sense, given the tiny size and budget of the Diocese, but Marray’s efforts to elect a bishop co-adjutor, who would automatically succeed him, would both delay these discussions, and make it more difficult to effect change.
Marray needs to leave. Now.
In other words, all involved would be better off moving directly from point A to point B, which means Marray needs to go. Sooner rather than later. Our assessment is that he is toxic, and the longer he stays, the more trauma clergy and members of the Diocese must unpack and process.
Nor is there anything wrong having the bishop diocesan seat vacant for a while. Given the contortions needed to work around Marray and his fragile but noisy ego, visiting bishops will be around for a while, regardless.
Neither should the Diocese rush to hire the first free-range bishop it encounters as bishop provisional. We’re already seeing the problems that arise when dioceses, like Wyoming, get out over their skis and choose a knucklehead like Todd Ousley for the role.
Thus, it is far better to get outside help in to work through trauma, work towards healing, and then slowly and meticulously work to fill the bishop position.
Not to mention that, knowing Marray, he’ll try to put his finger on the scale in favor of a candidate to his liking, which is the last thing the Diocese of Easton needs right now.
So, we’ve reached a point where the pastoral relationship between Marray and Easton has reached its logical endpoint, and both sides need to recognize that it’s time to move on.
Looking forward
One of the striking things we see — and we get that hindsight is always 20/20 — is that people within the Diocese seem not to have recognized all of the issues with Marray. Specifically, we’re thinking about Marray’s role in drafting a proposed Anglican Covenant, which would allow provinces elsewhere in the Anglican Communion to interfere in the internal affairs of other provinces.
Translated: The Anglican Covenant would have allowed conservative provinces to override more inclusive provinces on the issue of same-sex marriage.
Thus, it’s safe to say that Marray likely has strong feelings on this topic, and they most likely do not align with prevailing views in the Episcopal Church. That’s okay, but we have the strong feeling that these issues were never really explored with Marray.
Indeed, on several occasions, Marray has made comments to the effect of, “That’s nonsense. I love the gays,” which, by using that phrasing, strongly suggests he doesn’t. Moreover, the situation is akin to people who use racist language, but then try to deny things by saying, “But I have black friends!”
Maybe they do, but at the end of the day, it’s actions that count, and if someone acts like a hater, that’s likely what they are. Something about, “By their fruits you shall know them.”
So, we hope that, if and when the time comes for a new bishop, Easton will take its time, do its due diligence, and more slowly and cautiously. If nothing else, the best things in life are rarely accomplished in haste, and Easton deserves a genuinely loving and caring bishop.
Below is a copy of the email that went out to Easton clergy today:
For the first time in the Diocese of Easton DEPO became a living reality here on January 5, 2025. The Rt. Rev. James (“Bud”) Shand, Retired, visited Shrewsbury Parish for an Episcopal visitation at the invitation of Bishop Santosh Marray. What is this all about?
The Episcopal Church’s House of Bishops’ Delegated Episcopal Pastoral Oversight (DEPO) plan originated in a policy statement adopted by our House of Bishops in 2002 in the aftermath of the controversy which followed the election of the Rev. Gene Robinson as the Bishop of New Hampshire. This initiative was further defined by “Caring for All the Churches,” an agreement approved by our Bishops in March 2004 which addressed situations where there was tension between a Diocesan Bishop and a Parish. The 2016 General Convention Resolution # 2006-A163 strengthened this initiative which is rooted in TEC Canon III.12.3(a).
Our story begins on June 17, 2024. Shrewsbury Parish was in the midst of planning for its annual Episcopal visitation scheduled for July 7 when it received an email from Bishop Marray announcing that he had cancelled his visitation due to perceived Title IV restrictions now in place. The Rev. Henry M. Sabetti, III, Rector, asked if another Bishop might make this visit under the provisions of Canon III.12.3(a) and confirm the two adult communicants who had been prepared for Confirmation. Note: Usually the issue of DEPO is initiated by a Parish which does not want the Bishop Diocesan to visit; here the process began when Bishop Marray announced that he would not make such a visitation.
On September 18, in a letter addressed to 14 of the 15 Title IV Complainants, Bishop Marray announced that Bishops Shand and Keven Brown (Delaware) had agreed to be available under the provisions of Canon III.12.3(a), subsequently clarified to mean that DEPO was now active for clergy and parishes in the Diocese of Easton who felt the need for this temporary option. While our Diocese is going through a difficult time, this commendable pastoral initiative implemented by our Bishop should nurture and support everyone involved.
Thus, it came to pass that the first DEPO parish visitation occurred this past Sunday. Planning for other DEPO visitations is in the works. Blessings on Ms. June O’Connell and Mr. Jack Withers who were finally confirmed at Shrewsbury Parish after a delay of six months.
Finally a word to members of the Santosh Marray fan club: You can knock it off with the hate mail. You’re simply clueless, and it is your own clergy who are being bullied by Marray. Do some research before you make fools of yourselves.
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