Dialogue Ireland reaches a cul de sac with Archbishop John Neill, March 8, 2004

Earlier we explained how the then Field Worker attempted to let the archdeacon Gordon Linney know about earlier cases of a sexual nature involving a congregant.

http://dialogueireland.wordpress.com/2011/07/18/archdeacon-gordon-linney-claims-willis-crime-was-%E2%80%9Conce-off-moment-of-madness-%E2%80%9D/

At the suggestion of Gordon Linney he wrote the following to the Archbishop:

—– Original Message —–

From: “Dialogue Ireland” <dialogueireland@esatclear.ie>

To: <archbishop@dublin.anglican.org>

Sent: Monday, March 08, 2004 6:05 PM

Subject: Core

8/3/04

Dear John,

I had a chat (earlier the same day,) with Gordon Linney about my visit to AB Empey concerning the situation in Core and he has no memory of Walton talking to him about it. He felt that you might find it of help to talk to the first person involved with Willi back in 1996. I am hoping to get someone who knows him to raise that possibility.

Later this afternoon I received a call from xxxxxxxxxx the Religious affairs correspondent of the Irish Independent whose office had received a call from a Church of Ireland parent who raised questions about Willi.

He was going to check with his editors and was going to phone your press office. I picked up he was going to present a piece saying that a C of I cleric had been involved with inappropriate sexual conduct. I am happy to say that when I phoned him back a few minutes ago, he had been told that unless there was a case of someone bringing an actual charge against Willi to them it would remain under wraps. This hopefully will allow you to move ahead with disciplinary measures without the public getting in on this terrible situation. Hopefully it will allow the Stewarts some privacy, as well the xxxxxxxxx. They were very grateful for the way you received them. I talked to Gordon this morning and he tried to explain to me manner this will be dealt with in a C of I context. I will see them on Wed and hope walk with them during this period. I am sure they would be grateful to be informed of what conclusions you reach in a manner you see fit.

Regards

Mike

From: “Most Revd. Dr.John Neill” <abdublin@eircom.net>

To: “Dialogue Ireland” <dialogueireland@esatclear.ie>

Subject: Re: Core

Date: Mon, 8 Mar 2004 20:11:55 -0000

I do not require to be informed of anything further by you on this issue,

nor do I require you to set up any interviews for me.   Please remove me

from your mailing list.

+John Dublin:

Date: Mon, 08 Mar 2004 23:53:41 +0000

>To: “Most Revd. Dr.John Neill” <abdublin@eircom.net>

>From: Dialogue Ireland <dialogueireland@esatclear.ie>

>Subject: Re: Core

I will do as you request

Mike Garde

Field Worker

Dialogue Ireland

I Titus 1:7a

Dear Archbishop John,

• On reflection though I have no intention of continuing any further correspondence with you against your wishes, I felt it would be appropriate for me to make some comments on the content and manner of your communication with me.
• You have no spiritual jurisdiction over me and I found your communication in your first letter and in this final perfunctory note not worthy of a Christian leader. I have a name and I do not take kindly to way you wrote. Also it expressed a level of disrespect for an ecumenical partner… (DI Trust was a Christian agency at the time-Seehttp://dialogueireland.wordpress.com/about/ )
• …. in unilaterally breaking off communication. Disagreement yes, but this command type authoritarian communication style is unbecoming of your role of the pastor of pastors.
• Also your dismissive view in my original communication, that Willi’s Cultist structure was just a question of a different leadership style makes me wonder if you understand what was happening in Core. Also the fact that I raised questions about Core officially with your predecessor has not received any response. I was told that the Archdeacons would address the issue.

I tried to lay aside my own theological presuppositions in relation to Church discipline and to understand how the C of I deals with such issues so I could help the xxxxxxx’ further. Yesterday I wrote to you as follows: “I am sure they would be grateful to be informed of what conclusions you reach in a manner you see fit.” Hardly a statement of someone who was trying to direct you. Basically like you I hope this can be resolved within Christian parameters, but I am clear it is your call, a congregation in your diocese and a minister under your authority. As someone who has worked in this field for some years all I hope is that you just do not take out the rector and replace someone into the same structure.

You also made the point that unless there was fresh information there was no need for further communication- I would see the xxxxxx’ coming to you as exactly that. Also you state that you do not require any further information from me, a point contradicted in your first email.Also you say you do not need me to arrange meetings for you. I did not suggest I would. I talked to Gordon Linney yesterday and he felt that it might provide you with more information in relation to your discernment process. I would not arrange, but contact someone who would ask the person whether the person would speak to you

Finally placing me outside the communication circle is your call, I hope that when this issue is the past you will be able to sit down as Christians and discuss these issues.

• Obviously whether you communicate with me or not DIALOGUE IRELAND TRUST will retain its concerns for those who are affected by this situation. Following the action you take we will have to evaluate whether we feel the issues have been addressed or whether they need to brought further

I trust that God will give you wisdom in this situation and I genuinely hope you can bring this dreadful episode to an end in a way that leads to peace, grace and reconciliation between all those involved.

Yours Sincerely

Mike

I wrote to C of I contacts

Date: Mon, 08 Mar 2004 23:48:44 +0000

>To: xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxx

>From: Dialogue Ireland <dialogueireland@esatclear.ie>

>Subject: Re: Core

Dear xxxxxxxxx,

As you can see I have been given the shaft, but will not be deflected from my ministry. It is likely DI is on a hiding to nothing now with the C of I.

So be it

Mike

Sent to C of I contacts 10/3/04

Below you will find an email from the Church of Ireland Archbishop of Dublin John Neill unilaterally terminating communication between himself and Dialogue Ireland.

I have acceded to his wishes and at the same time written to him expressing my concern for the manner he communicated with me. This letter you will find at the bottom of the original emails. I have also taken the liberty to send this through the mail so that permanent record exists of this correspondence. This is essential considering the visit made some 6 years ago which produced no paper trail or response.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

To Harold Miller a Trustee of Core.

19/3/04

Dear Harold, MILLER-BISHOP

I just wanted to express my disappointment in the manner in which you treated me in relation to the Core issue.

You claimed that you were going to engage with me in private conversations and then just totally dropped me with the consequence that I have as much chance of connections with the C of I as a snowball in hell.

I had hoped to work through you and thereby understand where the Archbishop was coming from.

I feel you hung me out to dry and treated me worse than a dog.

Your silence is deafening and will leave me reaching for the sick bag when I hear the word, such a nice person in future.

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