Corner Brook Anglican church leadership quits after beloved reverend was fired

Members of a Corner Brook church's governing body are resigning en masse after their bishop fired their beloved leader without explanation a month ago.

"This elected group felt that functioning within the confines of a vestry was no longer effective in trying to address the serious problems that have arisen," the group wrote in a news release, referring to the Anglican Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist on Main Street.

The unrest started during a Sunday morning worship service on Jan. 19, which turned sour when the congregation was told Rev. Catherine Short, the dean and rector, was dismissed just days before.

On Wednesday, church-goers demonstrated in frustration, calling for Bishop John Organ to resign, and for Short to be reinstated.

Deborah Howe was among the dozens who joined the peaceful protest outside the cathedral. She says she was "baffled" during a meeting in January when Organ raised concerns about an allegedly toxic church culture. 

"If there was a problem down at the church, we would have known," Howe said. "Dean Catherine became really upset — particularly when he started talking about the culture down at the church.

"And she left the meeting and that's when things just totally went downhill."

Organ removed Short's licence to officiate the following day, according to Howe.

Switching up the sermon

The Jan. 19 service was far from typical, said Howe.

"You could feel the, just, the disbelief," she said, referring to the moment Organ announced Short would no longer lead the church, the vagueness around revoking her licence and references to apparent anger issues.

Howe says it was at that point when people were moved to walk out of the church and speak their mind.

Glenda Seaborn, another member of the vestry, says she's puzzled with Short's dismissal.

"Working with her ever since she came to our parish, I had seen no anger issues," said Seaborn. "This [dismissal is] very much a horrific thing to happen in a church service."

Seaborn and Howe haven't attend a service since, and say the number of people in the pews have dwindled. 

Howe says the vestry attempted to make contact with Organ three times, with no luck. 

Organ did respond to CBC News.

"I am of course saddened by the controversy that has arisen regarding Dean Short's status in our diocese," Organ wrote in an email. "I know that mediation options have been proposed to Dean Short for the purpose of facilitating a resolution, but these haven't proceeded to this point. 

Organ says he continues to hold out hope that a mediation will happen soon, adding it's important that Short's concerns are addressed.

The Anglican Church of Canada told CBC News that it is aware of the situation, but has no jurisdiction over the issues at hand. 

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