Though I am currently on Continuing Education Leave, working on my EMNA at Notre Dame, I wanted to take a moment to write to you today regarding the news that has come out regarding the resignation of our bishop, Whayne Hougland. 

For those who may not know, for the past year our bishop, Whayne Hougland, has been suspended due to an extra marital affair that occurred in early 2020. More information on his suspension and what transpired is on the diocesan website here.

Today, the Joint Standing Committees of Eastern and Western Michigan announced that, as a result of the process of discernment led by the Standing Committees, Whayne has resigned as our bishop, effective July 1, 2021.

Depending on your relationship with Whayne, the diocese, and the broader church, this news may have a variety of impacts upon you personally and spiritually. I'm grateful to those of you who communicated your own views on the wisdom of Whayne returning as our bishop in the survey the Standing Committee sent out earlier this year. Your perspective certainly was an aid to the Standing Committee in their discernment.

Over the past year of the bishop's suspension, I want you to know that I have participated in the various avenues for conversation, reflection, and discernment. I affirm the decision of the Standing Committees and Whayne that an ending of pastoral relationship is the wisest path forward for everyone involved.

As I sometimes counsel a couple whose marriage has fallen apart, sometimes the best way to love your spouse, given the deterioration and pain in the relationship, is not to be married to her or him anymore. Only you can know if that is the best and godliest path forward.

We can forgive and be reconciled with a sibling in Christ, including with Whayne, while also choosing a different sort of relationship going forward. I join with you in praying for God's goodness and grace on Whayne and his wife, Dana, as they move forward. I hope that Whayne finds new ways to exercise his ministry as a baptized Christian, whether in or outside of the episcopacy. 

And I look forward to the continued work the Dioceses of Eastern and Western Michigan will do, as we explore our shared relationship. I believe this decision actually creates new open and fertile ground for creativity about what episcopal leadership can and should look like in our communities right now and I look forward to all of us being a part of that conversation and discernment. More details on what is coming is included in the diocesan announcement. 

If you have any concerns or questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to me.

Warmly,