Episcopal Church Hosts Forum to Answer Questions about Bishop Heather Cook

By Catherine Hawley
ABC 2
January 16, 2015

http://www.abc2news.com/news/crime-checker/baltimore-city-crime/episcopal-church-members-get-to-ask-questions-about-bishops-drunk-hit-and-run

[with video]

About 150 people came out to the Church of the Holy Comforter in Lutherville to ask questions and hopefully get some answers from the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland about the tragic crash on Dec. 27 that killed Tom Palermo.

"Our lord God, we have no idea where we are going."

They started with prayer, then the head of the state diocese turned the focus to the pain of its congregations.

"It breaks my heart,” said Pat Ash. “It breaks my heart for the Palermo family, and the fact that, my goodness, she was that drunk at 2:30 in the afternoon, how incredibly sad."

"Certainly has cast a little bit of negative light on the church just in light of the seriousness of the event," Dave Zidek said.

"I think it's also a way of healing,” said Steffy Sabino. “Just listening to other people, what they have to say and how they're hurting and how they're frustrated and angry."

For an hour and half, that's exactly what happened. People shared stories about their personal battles with addiction, but a lot of the discussion focused on the churches very own who is causing the pain, Bishop Heather Cook.

"I'm wondering, was Heather Cook in recovery?"

Many questioned what exactly the people responsible for electing Cook to the number two spot back in May really knew about her DUI arrest from 2010.

"I'd like to know how you can get our trust back, because right now it doesn't exist."

Bishop Eugene Sutton promised the election process is being reviewed and changes could happen. He repeatedly told the crowd they had zero indication that Cook needed help for a drinking problem.

"There was no indication she was alcoholic, and this was a one-time event," he said.

The church has started its own investigation into Cook, and she will be facing disciplinary action and possibly being defrocked. But leaders say there is still much more to be unraveled about what happened the day of the crash on Roland Avenue. Investigators say Cook was texting and her BAC was nearly three times the legal limit when she hit Palermo from behind . Sutton says the most heartbreaking part is that Cook kept on driving, continuing on her way to the Eastern Shore after slamming into the bicyclist.

"That is the most problematic, and not just for people in the community, that is the most problematic thing for Episcopalians," Sutton said.

If you couldn't make it to the forum Thursday night, the church is hosting two more. The next is set for Saturday in Hagerstown, and the final one is next Wednesday in Lothian.