Update on Dean Steve Williamson's Decision to Reinstate Dcn. McIntyre
In our July 2021 Open Letter to Archbishop Foley Beach, ACNAtoo requested that disciplinary action be taken against Church of the Resurrection pastor Dcn. Valerie McIntyre for mandated reporting failures, negligent pastoral care, and severe pastoral confidentiality violations. Some of these confidentiality violations have been outlined in Part 03 of our Timeline series, although we are unable to publicly disclose the full extent and severity of Dcn. McIntyre’s actions without further violating the confidentiality of those involved.
Dcn. McInytre went on leave this summer when the Province took up oversight for the investigation in the Diocese of the Upper Midwest. ACNAtoo was initially encouraged by this action, but the Province soon returned responsibility for Dcn. McIntyre’s case to her colleagues at Church of the Resurrection.
On November 11, 2021, Church of the Resurrection Dean Steve Wiliamson reached out to Cherin Marie and invited her to share any concerns or information she had about Dcn. McIntyre as part of an internal employee review that was being carried out by the church to determine whether Dcn. McIntyre would be reinstated. Cherin agreed to share relevant information through a licensed professional counselor the church had hired as an expert consultant for church and child safety. On Dec. 8, 2021, this professional counselor relayed details of numerous confidentiality violations, including those listed above, to Dean Williamson, as well as several additional pastoral concerns about Dcn. McIntyre.
Despite being informed of this pastoral misconduct and initially expressing concern about it, Dean Williamson reinstated Dcn. McIntyre four days later, on Dec. 12, 2021, during a Sunday church service, where he publicly apologized to her, stating that she had been cleared by a “thorough review” conducted by church and diocesan leaders.
“We addressed every single concern with Deacon Valerie,” said Williamson, in his announcement. “Our review found nothing that should keep Deacon Val sidelined from active ministry.”
“She has my trust, until there is clear evidence to the contrary, and I apologize for any way in which my actions these past few months have not conveyed that trust.”
The livestream video of Dean Williamson’s announcement has been embedded below for reference:
