PCUSA Finds Staff Dismissals “Compliant”
The PCUSA found that the early termination of two high-level staffers, who were involved with a controversial visit to terrorists in the Middle East last year, was conducted in a manner “compliant” to the denomination’s standards
The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A) found that the early termination of two high-level staffers, who were involved with a controversial visit to terrorists in the Middle East last year, was conducted in a manner “compliant” to the denomination’s rulebook, on Tuesday, February 1, 2005.
“Having conducted a thorough evaluation, it was concluded that the executive director acted in a manner that was fully compliant with the applicable policies from the General Assembly Council Employee Handbook of the PC(USA),” the General Assembly Council (GAC) Personnel Subcommittee stated in its report.
The report, which essentially evaluated the action of GAC Executive Director John Detterick who last year fired the two staffers without comment, took two days to draft.
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“We interviewed John Detterick and went over the entire record of the process,” the Rev. Paul Masquelier, vice chair of GAC and chair of the Personnel Subcommittee, told the Presbyterian News Service.
Meanwhile, Detterick, who earlier said he welcomed the review, told the PNS that “I’ve not been able to talk as openly as I would have liked” about the decision that was made. “But I have felt all along that my actions were appropriate. …I hope it’s the beginning of a time when we can move forward and focus on what we are called to do.”
The following is the full text of the statements issued by the GAC Personnel Subcommittee, and the Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy – the organization where the two dismissed staffers used to work.
A First Response from the General Assembly Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy to GAC Executive Committee
Upholding Dismissals
February 1, 2005
The decision of the GAC Personnel Committee, as confirmed by the GAC Executive Committee, to uphold the action of John Detterick in dismissing Peter Sulyok and Kathy Lueckert is received by ACSWP with great sorrow and disappointment. ACSWP was informed of the decision late Monday evening.
The Reverend Peter Sulyok is a skilled, experienced and dedicated minister who has served the General Assembly Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy faithfully for twelve years. The outstanding service by Sulyok is verified by the eleven work performance evaluations in which he was rated “excellent” or “very good” by his supervisors. This evidence of his dedicated ministry was presented by ACSWP in the review process on Monday.
Kathy Lueckert is a highly skilled, experienced and dedicated executive who has served the GAC with distinction and grace. She has been a voice for the comprehensive vision of the church’s mission that integrated evangelism and justice, global and local outreach, spirituality and compassion. Lueckert helped to bring a steady, stable and wise perspective into the work of the General Assembly Council.
ACSWP has not spoken out publicly until today, preferring to direct its efforts toward the internal consultations and review processes that have boon ongoing for the past three months since the October trip to the Middle East. ACSWP representatives met with Detterick, Kirkpatrick and Ufford-Chase in late November in Louisville to share information not previously known by executives at the time of the dismissals.
This consultation continued into December with two subsequent conference phone calls that focused on ways of healing and reconciliation, and eventually led to the review process that finally took place on Monday, Jan. 31, in Louisville. ACSWP believes there can be very little healing and reconciliation without justice in matters of personnel policy.
Nile Harper, Chairperson
Report of the Personnel Subcommittee
General Assembly Council Executive Committee
January 31, 2005
Following a time of worship and prayer, on January 31, 2005, the Personnel Subcommittee of the General Assembly Council’s Executive Committee met together in open session at the Presbyterian Center. Those in attendance were: Carol Adcock, Fran Calderwood, Charles Easley, Nancy Kahaian, Linda Knieriemen, Paul Masquelier (Chair) and Allison Seed. In response to the request of the Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy, they heard from the following representatives of ACSWP: Sue Dickson, Esperanza Guajardo, Nile Harper (Chair) and Ronald Stone. At the request of ACSWP delegation, Peter Sulyok (former Coordinator, ACSWP) accompanied them and addressed the Sub-Committee.
The Personnel Subcommittee also interviewed John Detterick (Executive Director of the GAC), Margaret Blenman (Associate Director of Human Resources), Eric Graninger (General Counsel to the GAC) and Martha Clark (Associate General Counsel to the GAC).
The Personnel Subcommittee met in order to review the process by which the employment of Peter Sulyok and Kathy Lueckert was terminated and to determine whether the process was consistent with the GAC’s personnel policies. The committee reviewed all correspondence received from individuals, groups, and governing bodies. They also reviewed the General Assembly Council Employee Handbook of the PC(USA).
Having conducted a thorough evaluation, it was concluded that the Executive Director acted in a manner that was fully compliant with the applicable policies from the General Assembly Council Employee Handbook of the PC(USA).
It is the recommendation of the Personnel Subcommittee that the General Assembly Council Executive Committee prepare a pastoral letter to the church encouraging a season of prayer, acknowledging that we are wholly dependent upon God to continue the work of healing and reconciliation.
