Update June 7 8:15 a.m. Rev Megan Rohrer has resigned their position as Bishop.

June 6, 2022

Dear Members of the New England Synod

This letter is intended to serve as a follow-up to my letter of Friday, June 4, 2022.

On Saturday evening, June 4, 2022, the Conference of Bishops (CoB) was informed that at the conclusion of the Sierra Pacific Synod Assembly, Bishop Megan Rohrer did not resign as requested by the Presiding Bishop.

In addition, I have learned from persons in attendance at the Sierra Pacific Assembly, that a resolution to rescind the call of Bishop Rohrer garnered fifty-six percent (56%) of the vote of the Assembly. However, a two-thirds majority (66.67%) is required for the adoption of that resolution. Therefore, the resolution failed.

The Conference of Bishops met Sunday evening. Bishop Megan Rohrer chose not to attend. Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton shared with us that she is initiating the discipline process immediately, including suspension of Bishop Rohrer, based on additional information that has come to light. While the disciplinary process is being initiated immediately, there are several steps that need to be completed. This will take time, possibly within a three-month time frame. The discipline process being used is part of Chapter 20 of the Constitution and Bylaws of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

I should note that the Conference of Bishops strongly affirmed the decision by Presiding Bishop Eaton to move forward with the disciplinary process as well as the immediate suspension of Bishop Rohrer. I want to be clear that the reason I am not saying that the affirmation was unanimous is because not all synodical bishops were present for the meeting due to various conflicts of schedule, travel, etc.

In conclusion, I’ll add that I find it incomprehensible that a synodical bishop of this church would defy the presiding bishop, their own assembly, and the conference of bishops. While there are many layers to this situation, it has become clear to me that the Rev. Meghan Rohrer bears significant responsibility for the harmful actions at the center of this conversation.

Because the disciplinary process is now underway, I will now step back from further comment so that process may proceed in a thoughtful, deliberative, and prayerful manner.

However, as I want underscore what I have said before:

We have our own work to do! We need to own the depth of racism present in our church’s systems. I will continue to offer ways we might approach this in the work we do in this synod.

Let us keep the whole church in our prayers during these difficult days.

Sincerely

Bishop James Hazelwood