Presiding Bishop Eaton Visits the Community of Iglesia Luterana Santa María Peregrina

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On Thursday, October 13, 2022, our presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton — along with the Sierra Pacific Synod's interim bishop, the Rev. Claire Burkat; the president of the Latino Ministries Association of the ELCA, Roberto Lara; and the senior advisor for New Ministry Development, Christian Community and Leadership Home Area of the ELCA, the Rev. Ruben Duran — visited the community of Iglesia Luterana Santa María Peregrina in California. The purpose of this visit was to practice holy listening with the community (including its pastor, the Rev. Nelson Rabell-González, and his family) and continue the reparations affirmed during the 2022 ELCA Churchwide Assembly.

During this visit, women-identifying congregants of Santa María Peregrina requested a pastoral conversation with Bishop Eaton and Bishop Burkat. Pastor Rabell-Gonzales offered the idea of this conversation; according to him, said women have made a number of allegations that were neglected and ignored by past investigative teams from former synodical administrations. At the end of this pastoral conversation, Bishop Burkat noted that this information was crucial for the new investigation process and needed to be shared with her new investigation team for close scrutiny.

After this pastoral conversation, the community and visiting delegation shared a meal prepared by Jovita Torres, a key congregational leader. During dinner, Bertha Castro, another esteemed leader in the congregation, moderated and led a meeting with all the parties involved. During this meeting, the community reaffirmed the importance of promptly following up on the requests reiterated during the Churchwide Assembly.

After listening to the community's concerns for a couple of hours, Bishop Eaton and Bishop Burkat shared some of the steps that have been taken regarding the requests and concerns of the community.

Some highlights of the conversation are recorded below:

• Bishop Eaton expressed the importance of bringing disciplinary charges against Megan Rohrer, former bishop of the Sierra Pacific Synod. However, Bishop Eaton communicated her intentions to give space to the current synodical investigation before having Churchwide initiate a disciplinary process.

• Bishop Burkat expressed the importance of having a just and fair synodical investigation regarding the allegations.

• Both Bishop Eaton and Bishop Burkat committed to providing a path to wellness and pastoral care for Pastor Nelson Rabell-Gonzales and his family, and for all the members of Santa María Peregrina. Some financial resources have already been distributed to begin this critical healing process.

• The congregation reiterated its appreciation for a retroactive mission grant from Churchwide and the synod for the period of December 1, 2021, to January 31, 2023 — resources that were discontinued by Megan Rohrer, former bishop of the synod. Now that the congregation has obtained its 501c3 status, it is ready to equip its officers for potential future inclusion in the ELCA.

• During the visit, members of Santa María Peregrina shared the need for a dignified worship space. Bishop Eaton and Bishop Burkat expressed their intention to find a space for the community as soon as possible, hopefully, before this year's Lady of Guadalupe celebration.

• The community was also informed that the investigation regarding the allegations against Pastor Nelson Rabell-Gonzales had begun. Bishop Burkat will ensure that this investigation process will listen to Pastor Rabell-Gonzales and consider his family's trauma.

The Latino Ministries Association board members will continue to monitor this situation. We are hoping for a fair process, for the delivery of justice, and for the accountability of roster and lay members who commit acts of racism in our church toward Latino ministries and leaders.

At this time, we continue to implore you through an ancient prayer:

Lord, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

In Christ,

Latino Ministries Association of the ELCA