On 8 Dec 2019 the Junior Warden of Truro Parish, Ken Schutz, read to the congregation a letter announcing the resignation of Tory Baucum as rector and his renunciation priestly orders. Mr. Schutz read the following additional statement to the parish.
Additionally, we wish to tell you that we recognize this information is brief and only introduces what we are confronted with as a Vestry and congregation. There will be additional messages in the coming days that provide additional details. This morning I offer the following clarifying information:
- The fact-finding investigation mentioned in Friday’s Tmail will examine grievances alleged in the treatment of Truro staff and congregants.
- In the “me-too” environment we find ourselves in, we want to be clear that none of the grievances alleged are sexual in nature.
- The grievances presented include numerous and broad complaints from staff about workplace mistreatment, and questionable treatment of congregants
- The grievances were presented the week before we received Tory’s resignation.
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The following is a resolution passed by the Vestry:
“Whereas the Vestry received from Tory Baucum an email dated November 29, 2019, entitled “Baucum Resignation”, and its attached document entitled “Baucum’s Transition to Catholic Lay Ministry”, and
“Whereas Bishop Guernsey acknowledged receipt of a letter via email, with copy to the Archbishop of Canterbury, from Tory Baucum on November 29, 2019 entitled “Renunciation of Ordained Ministry in DOMA and ACNA”,
“It is hereby resolved that the Vestry accept, effective Immediately, Tory Baucum’s resignation as Rector of Truro Anglican Church. Tory will remain on a leave of absence while the fact-finding investigation occurs. The Vestry will determine his final day at a later date.”
On a personal note – I would like to add that the events described in these statements have happened over a very short period of time and over the Thanksgiving holiday period. The Vestry intends to be transparent but has needed some time to carefully and prayerfully consider what has happened and deliberate on how to present troubling information responsibly while maintaining confidentiality of sensitive personnel information. This has not been easy; we are doing our best.
A lot of sadness here.
Someone should explain this lingering resignation. Does this mean Tory Baucum is on the payroll while he negotiates a golden parachute to go away? Is the church waiting to see if they are liable to aggrieved staff for any of his actions?
Baucum has renounced orders in ACNA and Diocese of Mid-Atlantic. How about TEC or Church of England? Does he have a position as a layman in the Roman Church? Becoming a priest in the ordinariate isn’t as simple as most from the ACA can attest.
Truro Church has many staff and an acting rector. From their web site, it is difficult to tell if they have any ordained assistant clergy. Do they? Women priests? I ask because despite prayer, meditation, study, and scriptural authority and tradition, the large churches within ACNA seem to set policy.
The Truro website shows a woman listed as “clergy” whose responsibilities are Prayer Ministry and Pastoral Care.
It’s nearly impossible. But some suckers bought the line.
Per the press release, one of the documents is titled
“Baucum’s Transition to Catholic Lay Ministry”
Which seems to indicate he does not intend to become a Catholic priest.
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Always interesting to see how Tory is able to consistently suck all the oxygen from the room no matter where he is situated. My adivce to the Roman Catholic Church: put him on a very short leash and jerk hard when Tory starts to make everything about him. The man needs a major transformation toward true humility, if for no other reason than his eternal salvation.
I’m amazed that the editors of Anglican Ink are running a portion of his smile as the banner for the website.