A Statement from Bishop Ketlen Solak

Dear friends at Trinity Cathedral,

I am writing with an update about this difficult moment in our life together. You no doubt learned in news reports this week, as I did, further details about Dean Aidan Smith’s Feb. 27 arrest for retail theft. As I shared earlier today with those gathered at the cathedral, Aidan has tendered his resignation as dean, and I have accepted it.

You know that Aidan was placed on administrative leave in late January. This leave was prompted by an ongoing investigation into questions we received at the end of December and beginning of January suggesting that he may have failed to safeguard the property of the church. On Feb. 15, shortly after his leave began, proceedings under The Episcopal Church’s Title IV canons—which specify the church’s process for addressing clergy misconduct–were formally initiated against him. Given news reports about his arrest, I believe it is now pastorally appropriate to make you aware that for a number of weeks, we have been looking into whether Aidan improperly sold artifacts belonging to the cathedral through online platforms. You will likely read more about this in the media in the coming days.

While the civic charges related to Aidan’s arrest for retail theft are entirely separate from allegations that he failed to safeguard church property, the two matters will proceed as one Title IV case. Aidan has resigned as dean, but he remains canonically resident as a member of the clergy in the Diocese of Pittsburgh and is subject to the Title IV process. Members of the clergy are presumed innocent in Title IV matters unless or until proven otherwise.

Please continue to pray for Aidan, his family, and for everyone impacted by these events.

What does all of this mean for the future of this beloved cathedral community? For the interim, I and the members of the executive committee, and the Rev. Canon Mary Jayne Ledgerwood, will be in charge of the operations of the cathedral. Moving forward, I anticipate the life of the congregation to remain steady, taking time to breathe and heal. After such an interval, in three to four months, we will begin a process of discerning the best path forward.

I understand this news may be deeply upsetting, and I am committed to walking through this time of healing and transition with you. If you need pastoral support, please be in touch with Canon Mary Jayne, with me, or a member of my staff.

Your dedication to walking in faith, even in these trying circumstances, is a witness to the good news of Jesus Christ. While the season of Lent calls us to a time of reflective introspection, this holy season reminds us to put our trust in God who is our Shepherd in the midst of life.

Faithfully,

+Ketlen