A complaint, filed in June, by three Iowa Conference clergy against one of their fellow clergy was dismissed on August 30, 2016 by Bishop Julius C. Trimble.
His brief statement, conveyed to all parties involved, said, in part, “In accordance with Paragraph 363.e of 2012 Book of Discipline I have decided to dismiss the complaint against Rev. Anna Blaedel. The rationale was shared with the appointive cabinet.”
Rev. Craig Peters, Rev. Gary Hoyt, and Pastor Ben Blanchard filed a complaint with the Bishop and Cabinet in response to remarks made by Rev. Blaedel during the 2016 session of the Iowa Annual Conference. In part, she said, “I am a self-avowed, practicing homosexual. Or, in my language, I am out, queer, partnered clergy.”
Paragraph 363.e of the Book of Discipline directs a bishop to initiate a “supervisory response process…within 90 days after the receipt” of a “written and signed complaint.” During those 90 days, if “the complaint resolution is not achieved” a bishop has the option to “Dismiss the complaint with the consent of the cabinet giving the reasons therefore in writing, a copy of which shall be placed in the clergyperson’s file.”
When, after consultation with all parties involved during that timeframe, a resolution was not achieved, Bishop Trimble dismissed the complaint. He wrote, "The dismissal includes a letter of reprimand to be placed in the file of Rev. Blaedel."
The Book of Discipline calls for the process to be confidential. In informing all parties involved of the rationale for his decision, Bishop Trimble’s intention was to honor that confidentiality.
