TWH – Last month, the Rev. Vesper Andes ended their affiliation with Circle Sanctuary for ethical concerns after raising possible safety issues at Pagan Spirit Gathering (PSG).
On May 10, Rev. Andes – then a minister within the Circle Sanctuary community – raised a question about whether a known sex offender had been permitted to register at PSG as a vendor. The community member who privately approached Andes held the position of Guardian, a role intended to provide protection to the PSG community.
The registered sex offender in question is Kenneth Liddle. As of 2018, Liddle is reported as a co-owner of Enchanted Willow of Topeka, Kansas, the business that registered to vend at PSG. Liddle’s image is also listed on the U.S. Department of Justice National Sex Offender Registry via the Kansas Bureau of Investigation. He was convicted in 1999 on two counts of statutory sodomy against victims aged 13 and 14.
Andes brought the concern to the Circle Sanctuary’s leadership and to the organization’s ethics officer. Enchanted Willow had registered to vend at PSG in the past, but had never actually done so to this point, as the event had been canceled due to the pandemic.
Liddle was not permitted to attend PSG.
“I continuously work with families and social workers and other specialists when it concerns issues of child abuse and neglect,” says Andes, who serves as a chaplain at a children’s hospital. “I am keenly aware also of the implications of letting a known pedophile (a sex offender who has acted against children in particular) to a family-friendly clothing optional event.”
The Rev. Minerva of the Circle Sanctuary Legal Team forwarded the following statement originating from the Circle Sanctuary Board of Directors to TWH:
Circle Sanctuary does not engage in amplifying rumors, misinformation or hearsay in the public space. Regarding questions about sensitive matters raised earlier this year, Circle Sanctuary is a leader in developing responsible, ethical and legal ordination for Pagan clergy and further professional endorsement for those seeking careers in chaplaincy. Such responsibility includes a ministry code of ethics and a code of conduct, with proper oversight and accountability.
Circle Sanctuary Ministers are expected to be people who exemplify the highest standards of professional and community conduct. Beyond our clergy corps, Circle Sanctuary has developed policies and protocols governing participation of the public in our many festivals, rituals, and events. These are transparent, guided by the law, and adhered to by our leadership. They are all intended to protect our members and guests at any Circle Sanctuary event.
Our Events Safety Statement: https://www.circlesanctuary.org/index.php/organization/events-safety-statement
But why did Andes resign?
Andes told TWH that the key point they were making “is that the PSG admin team were aware of the sex offender, his particular offense against two children while he was in his thirties, and his desire to attend PSG as a vendor. His name and business were listed on the vendor page for the event, and his information was given to the Guardians who provide limited security for the event as an FYI and something to be aware of – indicating he was going to be attending the event this year.
“It was only after I reached out to my leadership multiple times, and after the Guardians had their meeting with Circle leadership that it was decided not to let him attend,” they added. “I also feel it is necessary to point out that I reached out to my leadership first, then escalated the issue to the Ethics Officer, then included the ministers, before I ever released the details of the story to the public on FB. This issue for me started the first week of May and only ended after I released the story to the public and Circle leadership made the decision to make a policy to not allow [sex offenders] to attend Circle events.”
While the handling of the issue led to their resignation, Andes notes that the process of identifying these issues needs work, not just at PSG or Circle Sanctuary, but everywhere. Andes underscored repeatedly in our interview that this article should be about awareness, not accusation.
Image credit: Pixabay
“I hope organizers of future events understand that an overwhelming majority of people in our communities have experienced abuse – particularly sexual abuse,” they said. “Conversations about whether or not a sex offender can reintegrate back into family-friendly events need to include community voices, and above all else, community members need the ability to make informed decisions about attending with their children if [a sex offender] will be at an event.”
A critical step in the process, Andes notes, is honoring the role of the whistleblower. “If a person raises a concern about a sex offender or other safety issue,” they said, “there needs to be a process delineated in writing (either in the bylaws or other policy documents) on how that issue will be handled, and how the organization will ensure that no punitive action will be taken against the whistleblower.”
“What stuck out to me most about this issue, in particular,” they continued, “is that when an issue was raised, leadership failed to act, failed to validate the feelings of the whistleblower, failed to be transparent about their processes, failed to inform their middle managers (the ministers) about the issue, and have failed to take responsibility for the gross negligence and mishandling of the issue. This continues to exacerbate the concerns of the community affected and erodes the trust needed to ensure the organization can continue to function successfully.”
Since leaving Circle Sanctuary, Andes has been ordained by the Order of Universal Interfaith. They hope to continue their work in chaplaincy as a member of the clergy as well as continue to raise awareness about best practices to handle the kinds of ethical concerns that led to their resignation.
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