Diocese Calls for Maryland Bishop to Resign

Nearly one month after bicyclist Thomas Palermo was killed in north Baltimore, the bishop accused of hitting him while drunk driving is being asked to step down.

“Bishop Heather Cook can no longer function effectively in her position as Bishop Suffragan,” the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland said in a statement Wednesday. “Therefore, we respectfully call for her resignation from her service to the Diocese.”

Bishop Heather Elizabeth Cook, 58, who became the first female bishop in Maryland last year, is charged with negligent and criminal manslaughter, negligent homicide while under the influence and negligent homicide while impaired in connection with the death of Palermo, 41, who authorities say was riding in a bike lane on Roland Avenue when he was hit.

The diocese said the call for Cook’s resignation reflected a “unanimous decision after significant and prayerful discernment, and with due and proper consideration of the best interests of the Diocese and its people,” according to the statement.

Cook was charged Jan. 9 and released from the Baltimore City Detention Center on bail Jan. 15. The plan was for her to go into treatment for alcoholism, WBAL reported. Cook also had a DUI in 2010, court records show.

Before charges were filed Jan. 9, Cook had been at Father Martin’s Ashley, an inpatient rehab center in Havre de Grace. Her attorney said she was returning to treatment upon making bail, according to The Baltimore Sun, which said one of the conditions of her release was that she not drive.

Cook will appear in Baltimore City District Court on Feb. 6.

Related:

• Bail for Bishop Set at $2.5 Million
• Bishop Posts Bail, Released from Jail on Manslaughter Charges
• State’s Attorney: Bishop Drunk, Texting at Time of Fatal Bike Crash
• More Than 700 Take Memorial Ride to Honor Anneslie Cyclist
• Maryland Bishop Investigated in Fatal Bike Crash
• Funeral Service Planned for Cyclist Thomas Palermo, 41
• Maryland Bishop Accused Of Killing Bicyclist Has Drunk Driving History
• Diocese Knew of Bishop’s DUI, ‘Practiced Forgiveness’

Full statement from the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland:

At its regularly scheduled meeting on Jan. 22, 2015, the Standing Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland reviewed the circumstances surrounding Bishop Heather Cook’s involvement in the Dec. 27, 2014, motor vehicle accident that resulted in the death of Mr. Thomas Palermo.

The Standing Committee has concluded that Bishop Heather Cook can no longer function effectively in her position as Bishop Suffragan. Therefore, we respectfully call for her resignation from her service to the Diocese.

The Standing Committee arrived at this unanimous decision after significant and prayerful discernment, and with due and proper consideration of the best interests of the Diocese and its people.

Screenshot of Bishop Heather Cook from WBAL/YouTube.