By Matthew Puddister

Copyright anglicanjournal

The Rev. Kris Gosse, whom Bishop of Western Newfoundland John Organ appointed as dean of the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Corner Brook after the bishop fired former dean Catherine Short—actions by which the provincial metropolitan found Organ violated misconduct policies—has resigned as dean.

Organ announced at the end of a Sept. 14 worship service that Gosse had withdrawn as dean after three weeks. The bishop blamed protesters who have called for Short’s reinstatement as dean, accusing them in a Facebook post of “intimidation and harassment.”

“My appointment of a priest of our diocese who applied, and who with faithfulness and courage stepped into the position, was immediately met with protestors confronting him in person and through a very upsetting social media and email campaign against him,” Organ said in an email to parishioners.

“All this proved too intense and intimidating for [Gosse] and his family. He especially worried for the safety of his spouse and children. I understand his discomfort and support his not continuing as dean and rector.”

Organ, who will resign as bishop Oct. 1 on the “advice” of the provincial House of Bishops, said Archdeacon Charlene Laing would take over Gosse’s responsibilities in the weeks ahead.

Neither Gosse nor Organ had responded to interview requests as of press time. However, in a Sept. 17 farewell letter to St. John the Evangelist’s congregation, Gosse said he made the decision to resign after much prayer, discernment and counsel.

“When I accepted the call to serve here, I did so with deep joy, hope, and a sense of conviction that God was leading us into something good,” Gosse said.

“However, as you are aware, the past weeks have not been without difficulty,” he added. “A number of concerns and protests arose following my appointment, and while I believe in the value of open dialogue and accountability in the life of the Church, the level of sustained pressure has made it clear that my presence has become a source of division rather than unity. That grieves me deeply, because I came here not to lead from a place of controversy, but to serve, to listen, and to help build up the Body of Christ in this place.

“After prayerful reflection, I have discerned that remaining in this position at this time would not serve the health or mission of the cathedral. I have always believed that leadership in the Church is about service, not self.”

The controversy that has roiled St. John the Evangelist stretches back to Jan. 19, when Organ announced in a livestreamed worship service that he had fired Short, the cathedral’s dean and rector since 2018. The bishop referred to personal conflicts with Short and made other allegations, including that she had made “threatening” social media posts.

Protests followed calling for Organ to reinstate Short and to resign as bishop. The entire vestry resigned in protest. Short filed safe church complaints against Organ.

Archbishop David Edwards, metropolitan of the ecclesiastical province of Canada, found in a June 13 response to Short’s complaints that Organ had engaged in discriminatory practice regarding her employment status, “emotional abuse” and bullying. He called for Organ to re-instate Short’s license to practice ministry as dean and rector of St. John the Evangelist; to apologize to the dean, congregation and diocese; and to take sabbatical leave until his Oct. 1 resignation.

Organ ignored the metropolitan’s recommendations and said in a June 25 letter to the diocese that he would continue as bishop. However, in an Aug. 26 letter Organ reversed course and said he would resign Oct. 1. Edwards released a statement that said by resigning, Organ was following the advice of the provincial House of Bishops.

Short told the Anglican Journal she was unsure what Gosse’s resignation as dean meant going forward. “I know it was inevitable because we all knew it was the wrong appointment,” Short said. “But the bishop has not made another appointment and he’s got another week here, so I’m not sure if he will or won’t.”

Now receiving employment insurance, Short criticized Organ’s accusations that protesters had intimidated Gosse and his family.

“You’re looking at 70 and 80-year-olds outside the church leaned up against a fence with their signs, not interacting at all [with Gosse and his family] or speaking to any of them … Their most dangerous weapons would be their walking sticks.”

Glynda Seaborn, a St. John the Evangelist parishioner and member of the Facebook group Anglicans (and Others) for Accountability and Justice—which parishioners formed in response to Organ’s actions, and which calls for greater transparency and accountability within the Anglican Church of Canada—praised Gosse for stepping down as dean. She contrasted his actions to those of church leaders, whom she accused of failing to take action against Organ or to publicly defend Short.

“While others convinced themselves that God called them to ignore this challenging situation and turn away from the obvious harm being done, Reverend Kris Gosse found the moral courage to act with integrity,” Seaborn said.