Dear Friends at Trinity Cathedral,

I am writing to share difficult news with you. On Saturday, Dean Aidan Smith, who has been on administrative leave since late January, let me know that he had been arrested in Economy Borough on charges of retail theft.  

We have little information about the circumstances of Aidan’s arrest or how the charges against him will be resolved. As more information becomes available, we will investigate the situation and follow the Title IV canons of The Episcopal Church, which set forth the process for handling clergy misconduct.

I have spoken with Aidan and assured him of our prayers for him in this difficult time. Please pray for Aidan, for Melanie and their children, for the entire cathedral congregation as we grieve this news, and for everyone involved in this hard situation.

I will be with you again the weekend of March 14-15 and will share with you then any additional information I am able to share about this matter. In the meantime, if you would like to have a pastoral conversation about this news, please be in touch with me or a member of my staff.

Thank you, as always, for your care for our cathedral congregation and your commitment to our ministry even in difficult times.

Faithfully,

+Ketlen Solak