Episcopal Press and News
Steven Plummer Will Resume Ministry as Bishop of Navajoland
Episcopal News Service. April 21, 1994 [94081]
Presiding Bishop Edmond Browning has announced that Bishop Steven Plummer will resume his ministry as bishop of the Navajoland Area Mission on June 1, 1994, following a year-long leave of absence in the wake of a revelation of sexual misconduct.
Plummer began a leave of absence in May, 1993, when a deacon in Navajoland reported that Plummer had confided to him that he had engaged in sexual activity over a two-year period with a male minor in breach of a trust relationship. The activity ended about five years ago.
In an April 14 statement, Browning concluded that Plummer's return to oversight of Navajoland was "a responsible step and is in the best interest of the church." He said that his recommendation was based on "a full and complete evaluation of the needs of Navajoland, the wishes of the people there, and of Bishop Plummer's present circumstances and abilities to carry out this ministry." (See Newsfeatures section for text of statement.)
As part of his evaluation, Browning consulted with Bishop William Wantland of Eau Claire who has served as interim bishop in Navajoland, as well as with congregations in Navajoland during a three-day visit in February. Browning also pointed out that during the leave of absence, Plummer, his spouse and family have participated in a therapeutic treatment program.
Since Browning shares oversight of the Navajoland Area Mission with the House of Bishops, he presented his recommendation to the March meeting of the House of Bishops at the Kanuga Conference Center in North Carolina. In his presentation to the bishops, Browning reported that "a large majority of the people favored the return of Bishop Plummer as bishop of Navajoland. His ministry to the non-English speaking Navajo, his ministry as a bridge between the Anglican and Navajo cultures and traditions, and his ministry as a pastor with compassion for his people and a deep spirituality were affirmed at each of the area meetings," Browning said. "There was clear recognition of Bishop Plummer as a Navajo leader."
Browning added that "even among those who did not favor his return as bishop, a great love and care for Bishop Plummer were expressed. This love for Bishop Plummer was the common theme described in all conversations related to his future ministry in the church."
Following Browning's report to the House of Bishops," the house supported my recommendation that Bishop Plummer resume his ministry," Browning said in his April 14 statement.
Although Plummer will resume his ministry as bishop of Navajoland, some Indian leaders continue to express mixed emotions about the decision.
"Many of us were deeply disappointed and angry at Bishop Plummer," said Ginny Doctor, chair of the Episcopal Council on Indian Ministries (ECIM), in a telephone interview. "We had a lot of expectations in Bishop Plummer and felt betrayed by him."
In August 1993, the ECIM wrote to Plummer asking him to resign. "We had asked him to resign simply because we didn't think it was appropriate for a holy leader who is alleged to have done child sexual abuse to continue in that ministry," Doctor said. At the same time, the ECIM adopted a resolution deploring sexual misconduct by "any Christian person," adding that "bishops must be held to the same rigid standard of ethical behavior as other clergy."
Doctor said that despite mixed feelings surrounding Bishop Plummer, "the ECIM will continue to pray for healing, not only for Steve Plummer, but for our own Council of Indian Ministries."
The Episcopal Church's ministry among Navajos is a century old but was not unified until the House of Bishops created the Navajoland Area Mission in 1977. The mission combines, in a unique structure, work among the Navajos in three dioceses -- Arizona, Rio Grande and Utah.
At its convocation in 1987, the Navajos asked for a new level of partnership with the Episcopal Church, including the right to nominate their own bishop. The 1988 General Convention endorsed the request and the Navajos elected Plummer in June of 1989. The House of Bishops meeting in Philadelphia that fall ratified the choice, and Plummer was consecrated the first Navajo bishop, and the third Native American bishop, in March of 1990.