February 1, 2024
Dear Friends in Christ:
I am writing today with some difficult news. A disciplinary matter involving alleged offenses by the Rev. Dr. Daniel McClain has advanced to what the Title IV disciplinary canons of The Episcopal Church call a Hearing Panel. This means that preparations have begun for a hearing on the allegations outlined in this document, which was prepared by the church attorney. It is called a Notice of Allegations of Canonical Offenses.
We are sending this document to you today because the Title IV canons require that “as soon as possible,” documents related to the Hearing Panel “be disseminated in such a way as to make them available to members of the Church and the Church media” (Canon IV.13.3). This canonical requirement means that you can expect additional Hearing Panel documents to be posted here as they are available, and that you may see or hear media stories about this situation.
If you would like to know more about the Title IV disciplinary process and what typically happens during the Hearing Panel process, you can consult the Title IV website of The Episcopal Church. The Diocese of Southern Ohio, together with five other dioceses in our region, is part of a regional disciplinary board whose members make up the various panels called for in the Title IV process.
At Bishop Smith’s nomination, the Standing Committee asked me to assume oversight of this Title IV matter last July, and I hope that I will be able to provide continuity in the process. Title IV matters often take a good deal of time to adjudicate, and we will continue to provide updates along the way as appropriate.
The goal of the Title IV process is always to promote healing, repentance, forgiveness, restitution, justice, amendment of life, and reconciliation. As this matter unfolds, I ask that you join me in praying for everyone involved, and especially for the people of St. Paul’s, Oakwood, where the Rev. Dr. McClain is rector-elect, and for the McClain family.
Faithfully,
The Rt. Rev. Bavi Edna (Nedi) Rivera
Assisting Bishop
