It is true that Robert’s total package is pushing $200,000. But he is the administrative head of a very large and complex organization. Futhermore, St. Mark’s is located in a city (Seattle) with very high living costs and an area which has some of the highest property values. Much of his package is actually a “housing allowance” which pays for his home, a home which is often used for parish events. Robert’s package is the largest in the diocese, even larger than the bishop, but St. Mark’s is, by far, the largest parish in our diocese and Robert has made amazing strides in turning it into a great beacon of hope in the city. It is known as much more than the Episcopal Cathedral, and is a symbol of a welcoming and affirming Christianity. St Mark’s has had some internal challenges this recent year, but Robert is not in danger of losing his position.

One other issue Virtue does not address- St. Mark’s is actually a Pro-Cathedral. It is a parish church which the diocese names a cathedral. This is important because the head priests of parishes are tenured. They can only be removed under the most dire of circumstances, such as breaking the law or because the relationship with the parish is so unhealthy that the bishop feels that reconciliation is not possible. And, only the bishop can make that decision. So such a person can not actually be “fired”.

It is true that the cut-backs last year took many by surprise and made a bad situation worse. However, the Dean and the vestry (the elected council) were working within the then, faulty, as it turned out, system. Since then, new systems are in place to ensure salary equity and levels commensurate with comparable positions elsewhere.

It is also true that an outside observer, a retired bishop, has been requested to assist in building toward the future. This does not include as a goal the removal of the dean by the vestry who, in my view, have worked cooperatively with the dean in creating more transparent systems for dealing with such situations in the future.