LOS ANGELES — A transgender cleric from San Francisco was appointed as a bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America last year. This followed firing the pastor of a congregation dominated by Latinos.
The Rev. Megan Rohrer used the pronoun “they” to lead one of the 65 synods that oversees nearly 200 congregations in Northern California or northern Nevada. They were elected to a six-year term of bishopship at the Sierra Pacific Synod in May 2021.
Rohrer wrote Saturday to the synod that they had to resign because of the “constant misinformation, bullying, and harassment” they suffered after the synod voted on Dec. 12, the Feast of Virgin of Guadalupe (a significant holiday for stockton, California church congregants), to remove Mision Latina Luterana’s pastor.
Rohrer fired Rev. After an investigation by the church into allegations of verbal harassment, retaliation and intimidation against the pastor Rohrer fired Nelson Rabell-Gonzalez. After Rabell-Gonzalez refused to comply with certain requirements, the synod council decided on December 11 to remove Rabell-Gonzalez from his call as mission developer.
Rohrer did not speak to The Associated Press Tuesday. He said they were “trying rest and be with our family.”
Tuesday’s comment was not made by a spokesperson for the ELCA.
The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton was the denomination’s presiding Bishop and appointed a three-member “listening panel” to review Rohrer’s actions in March.
The ELCA released a report June 1, which included several recommendations, including public apology to the Latino community, anti-racism training for churchwide leaders and staff, a healing visit to the community, and a task force to examine the church’s policies.
After Rohrer’s resignation on Saturday, church leaders began the process of disciplining Rohrer. Eaton shared on Twitter that the Conference of Bishops met this Sunday. She said Rohrer “chosen not to attend”.
“I shared that I am initiating the discipline procedure immediately, including suspension of Bishop Rohrer. This is based upon additional information that has been discovered.”
She said that it will take some time, and she will keep you updated as necessary.
Rohrer, on Twitter, questioned the church for continuing with the disciplinary process after their resignation “without giving any details about what I allegedly did.”
Roher stated, “That seems to be in conflict their own procedures.”
The listening panel members reported that Mision Latina Luterana congregation didn’t know their pastor had been fired Dec. 12. A large congregation of mostly Mexican immigrants planned a complex program that day, with mariachi singers, traditional dancers, and performances by children. All led by their pastor.
One of the congregants captured a video live that shows distraught congregation members voicing their grievances. One woman stated in Spanish, “Pastor Nelson worked hard for this day to come.” He has done a lot to help our community. He has fought for our rights.”
Others claimed that the decision to fire him was unfair and racist. They also complained about Rabell-Gonzalez’s sexual nature, and were upset that they didn’t get an answer from Rohrer and other leaders.
According to the report, Rohrer also threatened a child’s father and his wife with calling police if they didn’t leave the sacristy. This threat is considered racist by the immigrant community. According to the report, Rohrer was wearing a bulletproof vest for the service because they were concerned about their safety.
Eaton reported to the church on May 27, that she had asked Rohrer to resign from the synod.
She stated that there were issues of trust at all levels, including individual members and churches, which need to be repaired.
She stated that she will act on several recommendations of the listening group, including the need to address anti-racism training and cultural sensitivity training.
In a May 28 statement, the church’s Latino Ministries Association had harsh words for Eaton. It criticised her for failing to bring disciplinary charges against Eaton for “racist acts” against the congregation.
Leaders of the association called Eaton’s statement weak and insensitive and said that it gave Eaton the chance to make their own decisions. This decision was deeply rooted within white supremacy and systemic racists.
The synod council stated in a previous statement that it had decided to terminate Rabell Gonzalez’s employment due to “continual communications verbal harassment and reprisal actions from more than 12 victims from 2019 to present”. However, church officials have not provided specific details about the pastor’s transgressions.
Rabell-Gonzalez was a candidate in the election to be a bishop. Officials from the church identified steps Rabell-Gonzalez had to follow after Rohrer was appointed. He refused to follow them, according to officials on Dec. 9. Two days later, the council took action to cancel Rohrer’s call.
According to the report, the decision to resign the pastor’s call also reduced funding for the congregation. This left the community without a pastor and a church building.
Rabell-Gonzalez spoke to the AP Tuesday from Puerto Rico, and said that he will continue to lead the congregation as Iglesia Luterana Maria Peregrina at Stockton’s First Congregational Church.
Rabell-Gonzalez stated that he has never refused to follow the synod’s recommendations and just wants to have the chance to present his case.
He stated that he was removed from the roster without due procedure, without any hearing or disciplinary proceedings and without being charged with anything.
Rohrer will now be able to defend himself as part of a disciplinary procedure — something Rabell-Gonzalez claims he was denied. He said that he didn’t refuse the synod mandate to see a psychotherapist. Rabell-Gonzalez stated that Rohrer expected to be an ally when he became bishop.
He said, “I got an oppressor instead.”
