A Pastoral Letter to All Saints Naperville (Oct 24, 2025)

“Keep watch over yourselves and over all the flock, of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God that he obtained with the blood of his own Son” (Acts 20:28)

I have mentioned before that I was in seminary in New England during the height of the sexual abuse crisis that rocked the Roman Catholic church.  During that time, because Catholic and Anglican Clergy wear the same collar, I sometimes received hostile looks from people on the streets of Boston who wondered whether I was complicit in a cover up that harmed so many people. At first, I was tempted to say, “I am not that kind of priest. I am from a different tradition.” 

Before I could speak, the Holy Spirit convicted me. If any person is wounded by the church or its clergy, as a clergy person I am responsible for bearing that suspicion with patience and doing my best to bring healing. I made a commitment to do what I could to make the churches where I served as safe and healthy as I could, God being my helper.

That moment has proved more prophetic than I realized. In the decades since, scandals have rocked every corner of the church. It has impacted congregations and denominations across the theological, cultural, and political spectrum. It fills me with unbearable sadness that many have endured wounds from the wicked in the very place where they should have received the love of Christ. This wounding has occurred in the Anglican Church in North America, the province that our church calls home.

Over the last few days two stories have received national attention.  The first is local.  The trial of Bishop Steward Ruch of the Diocese of the Upper Midwest has concluded. He was charged with neglecting his duty of oversight and care as bishop by failing to, “(a) learn about and understand sexual abuse issues; (b) create, distribute, and implement policies and procedures to address sexual misconduct and abuse and to ensure the training of diocesan leaders in such policies and procedures; and (c) appropriately receive and respond to allegations of misconduct and abuse.”  Secondly, he is accused of not properly vetting clergy and lay leaders of his diocese by allowing those with a history of sexual misconduct or physical abuse into positions of authority. The verdict is due within the next sixty days.  We pray for all those impacted by these events and that the court will act with wisdom and justice.  

Additionally, this week our diocese sent this note, “the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) received a complaint alleging misconduct by Archbishop Steve Wood, who also serves as Bishop of the Diocese of the Carolinas. The allegations include abuse of power and unwanted sexual advances during his tenure as Rector of St. Andrew’s Anglican Church. These allegations do not involve his service as Archbishop of the Province. The ACNA’s provincial leadership has acknowledged receipt of the complaint and has initiated its established canonical process for review and response.”  These allegations are fresh having been received on Monday. We are waiting to find out more information. Our prayers again are for all those impacted, that justice will be served, and the truth will come to light.  

What is All Saints and our Diocese doing to protect the vulnerable?

Our diocese, Churches for the Sake of Others, does have required training for our clergy, which can be found here. For our congregation, we have required that our entire staff, lay and ordained, go through that training. The same is true of anyone who volunteers with our children’s and youth ministry. Our staff and children’s and youth ministry volunteers are also subject to a background check. You can find out more about our congregational protection policies here. 

For further resourcing, you might be interested in a video that I recorded with Rachel Denhollander on helping our diocese and other congregations respond to abuse.  You can also review the open letter I composed along with other clergy requesting greater urgency and transparency in dealing with the aforementioned Bishop Ruch Trial.   

 I want to conclude with two things. First, our hope is in the Lord Jesus Christ who conquered death and the grave. He reigns over all, especially his church. He will bring ultimate justice. That is my great comfort. Secondly, while there will always be sin in the church because it is a part of a fallen and broken world, I refuse to give in to despair. It is possible for churches and provinces to become healthier.  I am committed to doing my part to make sure that our congregation, diocese, and province continually strives to reflect our Savior in how we treat those most at risk.

I am not alone in this. Many Anglican clergy and laity care deeply about our Province’s health and future. Please know that we will do our part to seek justice and accountability where there has been harm done. Pray for the church. All of it.

Fr. Esau+

Rector (Senior Pastor)

All Saints Naperville.