Source: Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Seattle Times
The Very Rev. Robert Taylor resigned Friday as dean of St. Mark's Episcopal Cathedral, amidst acclaim for his accomplishments but following months of controversy over staff shakeups and parish leadership.

Taylor came to "The Holy Box," as the cathedral is often nicknamed, in 1999 with a background that put him instantly in the news. He had been an anti-apartheid student leader in South Africa, became a protege of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and is a partnered gay man.

Taylor said in a letter to church members that he was resigning because he and the vestry -- essentially the church board -- diverged in their visions for the future of St. Mark's and because there was a loss of trust between them. He declined to say what the differing visions are.

"I decided it was best for me to walk on," he said Friday.

Taylor's resignation came after more than a year of turmoil at the cathedral and after an outside evaluator issued a report outlining problems with church leadership -- both on the part of the dean and the vestry.

"Despite our many accomplishments together, my vision for our future has diverged from that of the Vestry in significant ways, and that has resulted in a loss of trust between us," Taylor wrote.

Taylor declined to talk in detail of the disagreements that produced his resignation. The dean said he is leaving with "satisfaction and thankfulness" at the cathedral's progress under his leadership.

Taylor made front-page headlines when he was elected in 1999, making him the first openly gay man to become dean -- or head pastor -- of an Episcopal cathedral. He has spoken out on behalf of gay rights as he did in what turned out to be his last sermon at the church.

Taylor, who had been on leave, returned to St. Mark's to deliver what PI columnist Joel Connelly described as a "passionate" Palm Sunday sermon on inclusiveness in the church.

He took the Archibishop of Canterbury to task for refusing to invite New Hampshire's gay Bishop Gene Robinson to the upcoming worldwide Lambeth Conference of Anglican and Episcopal bishops.

"(Robinson) was not invited because he is openly homosexual," Taylor told the congregation. "He is not the only gay Bishop, but the only one who is open about it."

"In contrast, the Archbishop of Nigeria was invited. The Archbishop of Nigeria has publicly urged support for the most homophobic legislation that exists almost anywhere in the world . . .

"To publicly declare your belief about criminalizing some of God's creation seems acceptable enough to warrant an invitation to Lambeth. And our own House of Bishops simply rolled over and said it is alright to not invite one of us . . ."

The words turned out to be Taylor's parting shot from the pulpit of Seattle's Episcopal Cathedral.

In his years in Seattle, Taylor became known for community outreach and interfaith efforts, and for tackling social-justice issues, including homelessness. He was the first chairman of the Committee to End Homelessness in King County, and St. Mark's has hosted Tent City encampments many times.

He also brought in major gifts and grants for the cathedral.

But the congregation at the prominent Seattle institution has been in tumult since shortly before Holy Week last year, when two priests and an administrator were laid off because of a budget shortfall.

Parishioners expressed shock over the suddenness of the layoffs. Some became angry when they found out the dean was getting a sizable raise to nearly $220,000, including salary and benefits. And many accused cathedral leaders of not being transparent about finances. Pay equity among cathedral staff members also became an issue.

Church leaders have since moved to adjust pay among cathedral staff members and posted many financial documents online. The cathedral finished last year with a surplus.

But continuing leadership and management issues resulted in the vestry asking for an outside mediator, and a bishop currently living in New York state was called in. Bishop Herbert Donovan, who talked with about 100 people, including current and former church members, leaders, staff members and clergy, issued a report, which the church released on its Web site (www.saintmarks.org) Friday, along with Taylor's resignation letter and other documents.

Donovan's report says the lack of "a genuine trust relationship between the dean and many of the vestry, staff and others in the congregation is an issue that must be addressed immediately."

The report says the vestry "needs to take a hard look at itself, and do what it can to address concerns such as staff morale" and needs to take responsibility for its actions and attitudes. Donovan recommended the vestry work with a consultant.

The report also says Taylor's "inability to take responsibility appeared to be one of the basic barriers to moving forward."

Donovan recommended the dean take at least six months away from Seattle and undergo professional counseling so he could address how to build "effective trust relationships" with the staff and vestry.

After his Palm Sunday sermon, Taylor was noticeably absent from Holy Week services at the Capitol Hill church.

Recently installed Episcopal Bishop Greg Rickel, who has mediated ongoing internal disputes at St. Mark's, filled in for the absent dean. Rickel presided as this year's class of converts was welcomed into the St. Mark's community.

"The man (Rickel) has made this church his cathedral in a manner not seen around here in 40 years: This man has been our pastor, and he loves us," said Rev. John Huston, a retired priest who spent years on the staff at St. Mark's.

After filling in for Taylor, and helping negotiate his departure, Bishop Rickel sent a letter to St. Mark's parishioners "written with a heavy heart and an indescribable mix of emotions."

"This has been a long process, longer than anyone had hoped for," Rickel wrote. "Some in the community have suggested that secrecy or conspiratorial maneuvering was at play, but there was much that could not be shared, for legitimate reasons, and often at the request of various parties."

When Taylor was a losing candidate for election to become Bishop of California last year, the dean said he was grateful, and that he and his partner looked forward to spending the rest of his career at St. Mark's.

Words of praise, their sources ranging from Archbishop Tutu to Seattle Art Museum director Mimi Gates, accompanied Taylor's resignation.

"The blessings of his indelible impact upon Seattle will be felt for many years to come," wrote Daniel Weiner, senior rabbi at Temple De Hirsch Sinai.

Gerry Johnson, former managing partner at the L & L Gates law firm, added: "He will be sorely missed."

Taylor plans to stay in Seattle for a while, reports the PI's Connelly.

He remains an Episcopal priest, however, and said he will "prayerfully discern" what mission God has for him in years ahead.

[Post updated 3/29 with additional information from Seattle Times]

Full article: Taylor quits as St. Mark's Dean | Seattle PI / Joel Connelly
Taylor resigns as dean of troubled St. Mark's | Seattle Times