From: Brenda Dumper
Subject: Re: Follow-up on Public Communication Piece
Date: February 5, 2021 at 1:13:45 PM CST
To: H. Keuning, Anne Kessler

Helen,

Yes, Bp. Stewart is on board with holding because there are so many differing views and the situation is so complex that we're at the point of needing an expert voice who can bring clarity to the steps we need to take as well as protecting both known and potentially unknown victims. And because we're not just talking about the Diocese and Rez.

Everyone is still on board with the need to "go public", however the question remains about timing, what are the best steps, who should be involved, and how should that communication go out.

Bp. Stewart will assure Joanna and her team that we are taking all of them very seriously, we greatly appreciate their resources and are thoroughly researching an independent investigation firm to work with or, that by this call we've actually hired a firm to work with, and we want their voice in this. Then it's my understanding that he'll respond to her email questions, in writing, as he's able. But this call is mainly to apologize "in person" for not responding to her and not communicating with her more fully. That we have heard her and we are listening, that we do care, and take very seriously all of the allegations and instances of inappropriate behavior, and we under no circumstances tolerate or want to cover up what's happened.

Having said all of that, I do think your help in drafting the communication piece would be great, we just don't have a drop-dead deadline for rolling everything out and we are assuming the ind. investigator will have suggestions for this. If you want to wait until we have more to go on, that's completely fine.

As to some of the facts you've asked about, I started a google sheets timeline that might be helpful to at least get you started, and the only "public record" I can find to date is that Mark has been charged with "Predatory Crm Sexual Assault of a Child/Victim under 13 - Class X" is out on bond waiting a hearing.

Let me know what additional questions you have and I'll see if I can track down the answers. One necessary difference between this situation and the one Joanna gave of Pst. C is Mark's interactions have all been with personal family friends in home situations with parental knowledge of their kids being alone with him. We don't have any allegations against a paid "employee" or of anything happening during a church sponsored event or function, or on church property. Every person noted and each of the interactions were at a residence. Mark was undeniably a member and volunteer at both Rez and COLA. All of this in no way diminishes the horrificness of the whole thing and we are in no way, shape, or form trying to deny or cover up. I'm simply saying that we keep being asked by 3rd party people "did anything happen on church property" and that answer is no.

Please don't hesitate to reach back out if you have any questions or concerns with all of this :) - we really want to make sure we're all on the same page as much as possible with the rapidly changing tide and we want to hear everyone's thoughts.

Brenda