An LGBTQ+ friendly Easter vigil at The Cathedral Church of St. Paul in Boston took a chaotic turn when Bishop Alan M. Gates tore the collar off Rev. Tamara Tucker, the lead organizer of The Crossing, a worship community committed to radical welcome. Tucker, who was addressing the congregation about offering communion, lost her train of thought, leading to Gates’ attempt at humor that backfired during the sacred ceremony.
During the eucharistic prayer, Tucker paused, drawing laughter from the congregation, including Gates. The bishop then approached her, yanked the clerical collar from her neck, and teasingly chastised her. This action was met with disapproval from the church attendees who accused Gates of perpetuating misogyny within the church, detracting from the joyous atmosphere of the service meant to celebrate Easter.
While some attendees thought Gates’ actions were light-hearted and not meant to cause harm, others saw it as revealing underlying issues of misogyny that have been present in Christianity for years. Rev. Rita Powell, who was present at the service, pointed out that Christianity had yet to fully address the long-standing issue of misogyny, even in seemingly progressive churches like the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts.
After receiving criticism for his actions, Gates issued an apology for his behavior during the vigil. He expressed regret for his “misguided mischief” and acknowledged that removing Tucker’s clerical collar was a demeaning act that he deeply regretted. Gates extended his apologies to Tucker, her worship community, the Cathedral community, and others who were present at the service or impacted by his actions, admitting that he had misused his authority and failed to exhibit grace.
The Diocese of Massachusetts spokesperson, Tracy J. Sukraw, noted that Gates’ actions had taken place in a light-hearted context during a non-traditional service but recognized that they were ill-considered. Gates, in his statement, explained that he reached out and took Tucker’s collar in a moment of mischief, acknowledging that his behavior was inappropriate and disrespectful. He expressed his remorse and commitment to making amends for his actions to rectify the situation and seek forgiveness.
Despite the public outcry and criticism from church attendees and community members, Gates’ statement of apology appeared sincere, even though Tucker had not yet addressed the incident publicly. The Bishop’s acknowledgment of his mistake and his determination to repair the harm caused by his actions demonstrated a willingness to learn from the incident and foster a more inclusive and respectful environment within the church.
