ELCA NEWS SERVICE
June 26, 2010
Stephen Marsh Resigns as Bishop of ELCA Southeast Michigan Synod
10-175-JB
"The counsel I have received from my therapists and from my own heart is that my healing in a safe environment and building a firm foundation on a road to recovery need to be my primary concerns for as long as it takes," Marsh wrote in his resignation letter. "Unfortunately, with that agenda, I will not be able to faithfully execute my duties as bishop of the Southeast Michigan Synod in ways that are needed in the present and the immediate future."
Marsh expressed his thanks to the synod, the synod staff, the synod council and its executive committee, the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, ELCA presiding bishop, and the ELCA Conference of Bishops.
"I am deeply sorry that my personal issues are now causing our synod to go through another period of trauma, anxiety and concern. I will continue to pray for the forward and missional movement of the Southeast Michigan Synod, and I ask that you continue to pray for me in my healing and my future ministry," Marsh wrote.
Marsh, 55, was elected bishop of the synod in 2009. He succeeded the Rev. John H.K. Schreiber, who died in August 2008. The Rev. Kenneth R. Olsen, former bishop of the ELCA Metropolitan Chicago Synod, served as interim bishop until Marsh took office.
Synod leaders have made preparations for "continuity of leadership in the office of the bishop," Hanson and Dr. Will Scott, synod vice president, wrote in a letter to the synod. They added that Olsen "has expressed willingness to serve again in that capacity."
According to Hanson and Scott, this is not the first time Marsh has sought treatment for addiction issues. In 2009 they said Marsh was admitted to inpatient care for addiction issues.
"Following almost 30 days of treatment, he was released, and he returned to the synod," wrote Hanson and Scott. "In the ensuing months, we were prayerful for a successful recovery. Unfortunately, however, we learned recently that Bishop Marsh's condition requires another extended period of inpatient treatment."
Both wrote that the synod was greatly concerned about Marsh's need for additional care.
"As he departs, we graciously thank Bishop Marsh for his time of service. We also ask for your individual and collective prayers for his full recovery," Hanson and Scott wrote. They also wrote that they hoped Marsh "will be healed in body and spirit so that he can look forward to an early resumption of his service as an ordained minister."
The ELCA Southeast Michigan has 58,597 members in 128 congregations. The synod office is in Detroit.
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PS (PSanafter-thought) has left a new comment on your post "ELCA News Report - Not a Satire":
We should be glad that this bishop, who is the pastor for the pastors of a synod, has sought help for his problems and that the synod will allow him to seek this help without the pressure of the job.
Now we might also wish for a support group or time away for those pastors addicted to being judgmental.
There but for the Grace of God go we all.
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GJ - PS is just full of accusations today, in the name of being non-judgmental. No one is more sanctimonious than a liberal Pietist, but Someone has to stand up for the drug-addicted bishops.
