Episcopal Press and News
Bishop Chalfant Resigns as Bishop of Maine
Episcopal News Service. May 23, 1996 [96-1469]
(ENS) The Standing Committee of the Diocese of Maine announced May 10 that Bishop Edward Chalfant has resigned, effective May 6.
The resignation comes in the wake of an April 16 revelation that the bishop had been involved in an extra-marital relationship with "an unmarried adult lay woman" who was not employed by the diocese.
In announcing initially that he would take a voluntary leave of absence, Chalfant said, "I recognize that my behavior constitutes a betrayal the trust placed in me by the church, the diocese, and my family, and I deeply regret this betrayal." He said that he would seek therapy and held open the possibility of reconciliation with the diocese.
In his May 6 resignation letter, however, Chalfant concluded that "the diocese has complicated work to do in order to proceed with its mission and ministry. I do not want to impede that work by creating non-essential and peripheral concerns of conjecture about my possible return following my leave-of-absence."
After reviewing and evaluating the facts in the case, and consulting with Presiding Bishop Edmond Browning, the Standing Committee concluded that Chalfant should resign. The Standing Committee will serve as the ecclesiastical authority while seeking interim episcopal oversight.
A diocesan convention on May 17 was scheduled to reflect on the next steps for diocesan life and leadership.