ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses Smith Goldner L. Murdock's explanation about the women priests and clergy sexual misconduct. Clergy sexual misconduct is not limited by religious denomination. Into the unsettled situation came the new rector of Parish I, a woman who brought gifts as a teacher and scholar but who had limited experience in leading a congregation. Her previous experience as a priest had been on staff at a large Manhattan parish known for its ministry to the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered community. She brought a liberal theology to a fairly theologically traditional parish. In Parish I's situation, the bishop was proactive and transparent. Parish II is in a large, commercial, southeast banking city. Parish II had long been welcoming to gays and lesbians but the new rector reflected a conservative Episcopal perspective that was inhospitable to homosexuals. The bishop for Parish II also wanted to facilitate a positive outcome for his priest and her parishioners.
