7 January 2015 A.D. Media Sharks Circle While
Episcopal News Service Absent Blackout—MD Suffragan Bishop Heather Cook & Hit-and-Run
Homocide-by-Vehicle
Mueller, Mary Ann Mueller. “Episcopal News
Service Continues to ignore Hit-n-Run Bishop Story.” Virtueonline.org. 6 Jan
2015. http://virtueonline.org/episcopal-news-service-continues-ignore-hit-n-run-bishop-story. Accessed 6 Jan 2015.
Episcopal
News Service Continues to ignore Hit-n-Run Bishop story
Episcopal News Service Continues to ignore Hit-n-Run Bishop story
Police decline to make official statement citing complex, intricate, detailed reconstruction and forensic examination
By Mary Ann Mueller
VOL Special Correspondent
www.virtueonline.org
January 6, 2015
On Saturday afternoon, December 27, the bishop suffragan of the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland, Heather Cook, struck a bicyclist in the 5700 block of Roland Avenue in north Baltimore. She purportedly left the scene of the accident in her damaged Subaru only to return to the scene less than an hour later.
Saturday afternoon, Baltimore's television stations broke the story of the accident. WBAL's 5 p.m. Channel 11 newscast reported, "Bicyclist dies after crash in north Baltimore -- Episcopal bishop identified as driver, had prior DUI charge" while WMAL aired this story "Episcopal bishop tied to deadly Roland Park hit-and-run" on its 11 p.m. newscast.
By Sunday (Dec. 28), other news media started to sniff out the story and more headlines broke. "Driver in fatal Roland Park bicycle crash was bishop, Episcopal Diocese says" stated the Baltimore Sun; "Episcopal Bishop ID'd As Driver In Deadly Baltimore Bike Crash" WNEW revealed; and "Episcopal bishop identified as driver in fatal bike crash" the Boston Brew posted.
By Monday (Dec. 29), other media outlets -- secular, religious, print, broadcast, and online -- started covering the unfolding story. "Woman Became Baltimore's First Episcopalian Bishop -- but the Serious Thing She's Accused of Doing Is Reportedly at Least Her Second Run-In With Police", reported The Blaze; "Maryland's first female Episcopal bishop exposed as hit-and-run driver 'who killed young father' two days after Christmas," the London Daily Mail wrote; "Maryland Episcopal bishop investigated in car accident that killed cyclist" the announced; "US female bishop named as driver in fatal collision with cyclist" Christian Today reported; "Bishop Suffragan Heather Cook: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know" noted HEAVY.com; " Maryland's first female Episcopalian bishop initially left the scene after fatally running over Washington Post cyclist" revealed Rawstory; "Bishop Suffragan of Maryland tied to crash in Baltimore" the Episcopal Cafe posted; "First female Maryland bishop in fatal 'hit-and-run'" wrote The London Telegraph; "High-ranking Episcopal bishop involved in fatal hit-and-run" wrote The Week Magazine; "Baltimore Police: 'Evidentiary details' of Palermo bicycling-death case 'will not be released at this time,'" explained Baltimore City Paper; "Bishop Heather Cook admits fatal hit-and-run," stated the BBC; and ABC News ran "Diocese: Bishop Responsible in Fatal Hit-and-Run."
By Monday, it was oblivious the wider national and international media were onto the story even though Bishop Cook retreated behind closed doors and was remaining mum. The Bishop of Maryland, Eugene Sutton (XIV Maryland) had to weigh in and issue a statement briefly explaining the situation up until that time; he also announced that he had placed Bishop Cook on immediate "administrative leave."
"A message from Bishop Sutton regarding the tragic situation involving Bishop Heather Cook" was posted on the diocesan website.
By Tuesday (Dec. 30), the story was getting full play: "Cyclist Pursued Bishop's Car" and "Diocese: +Cook Disclosed DUI" (The Living Church); "Baltimore bishop got evaluations after DUI incident" (Baltimore Sun); "Episcopal Diocese of Maryland Says They Knew About Heather Cook's DUI Before Electing Her as Bishop" (Christian Post); "Episcopal church addresses bishop's DUI history" (WBAL); "Maryland Bishop Who Admitted To Striking Biker Has DUI Record" and "Investigation Continues Into Fatal Baltimore Bike Accident" (WJZ-Baltimore); "Episcopal Bishop Fatally Hit Cyclist, Drove Off: Cops" (Newser); "Citing 'forgiveness,' diocese elected Cook despite 2010 drunk driving infraction" (Baltimore Brew); " Trouble for First Female Episcopal bishop kills man in hit-and-run accident" (Pulse Nigeria); "Female US bishop 'in bike hit-and-run'" (SBS Australia); " Bishop Who Killed Cyclist Previously Charged With DUI, Marijuana Possession" (Chinatopix); " Police report reveals details of Bishop Cook's 2010 DUI" (W*USA-9); "'God Forbid a Human Should Step Out in Front of Us;' Hit-And-Run Bishop Heather Cook Warned Congregants About Speeding Last Month" (Christian Post); "Woman bishop exposed as hit-and-run driver in fatal crash was chased down and confronted by a 65-year-old bicyclist BEFORE she came forward to police" (London Daily Mail); " Episcopal bishop on leave after her car killed cyclist" (USA Today); and "The Episcopal Diocese of Maryland Statement on the Search Process of an Elected Bishop: (Diocese of Maryland).
As 2014 ended, the Bishop Cook story had no end. "Online clamor over fatal bike crash includes calls for Cook to resign" (Baltimore Brew); "Investigation Continues Into Fatal Baltimore Bike Accident" (WJZ-Baltimore); "Suffragan Bishop Cook Should Do Time for Her Crime -- Bishop Sutton Should Resign (Virtueonline); " Episcopal Church: Let's pray and lift up the Palermo family by giving" (Episcopal Cafe); "Maryland drama: An Episcopal bishop, her DUI record, a dead cyclist and the 'above reproach' debates" (Get Religion); "Memorial Ride and Children's Fund Set Up for Cyclist Struck by Bishop" (Baltimore Magazine); "Role Of Church Questioned After Bishop Allegedly Left Fatal Crash Scene" (WJZ-Baltimore); "The Case of the Drunk-Driving Bishop" (The American Conservative); "Driver must confess her role in cyclist's death" (Baltimore Sun); "Cyclist-killing Baltimore bishop in November preached about driving responsibly and facing consequences" (Baltimore City Paper); "Bishop With Prior DUI Killed Cyclist in Hit and Run Accident" (Guardian Liberty Voice); "Bishop accused in bicyclist death raises question: Who's qualified to be clergy?" (Washington Post); and "Join the Cycling Community on the Tom Palermo Memorial Ride and Vigil" (Diocese of Maryland).
January 1, 2015 brought a few new headlines: " WashPost Buries Hit-and-Run Death Caused by Female Episcopalian Bishop; Front-Paged Catholic Lesbian Scandal" (News Busters); "Hundreds of cyclists ride to honor Thomas Palermo" (WBAL); "Baltimore bicyclists ride to honor man allegedly killed by bishop in hit-and-run" (WJLA); "Memorial Ride Planned for Maryland Dad Killed in Hit-and-Run While Biking" (NBC 4 Washington); and "More than a thousand ride for Tom Palermo and safer biking" (Baltimore Brew).
Once the new year celebration and football games were over, the media started with a new round of headlines on Jan. 2 as the story continued to unfold: "Bp. Sutton of Maryland calls for moment of prayer and reflection" (Episcopal Cafe); "Memorial Ride Draws 700-plus" (The Living Church); " Episcopalians Outraged Heather Cook Was Promoted to Bishop After 2010 DUI; Some Didn't Know About Alcoholism Until Hit-And-Run" (Christian Post); "The wrong behavior for a church leader" (Washington Post); and "Bishop Heather Cook, Sobriety, and the Question of Who Should be Clergy" (Huffington Post).
A week after the initial accident, the media was still sniffing out the deeper story. Not much new information was revealed on Jan. 3 although the Baltimore Sun did delve into a YouTube video of a sermon on being prepared that Bishop Cook delivered at All Saints Episcopal Church in Reisterstown last November. The headline read: "Bishop Cook gave sermon using driving analogy."
Jan. 4: "Bishop Involved in Fatal Hit-And-Run Crash Gave Driving Sermon" (CBS-Washington); "Baltimore cyclists ride to honor Tom Palermo and to advocate for bike safety" (Episcopal Cafe); "Episcopal Bishop Hides behind Miter, Gated Community and Attorney" (Virtueoneline); "Bishop summons clergy to meeting after death of bicyclist in Baltimore" (Baltimore Sun); and "Maryland clergy to meet to discuss Cook hit and run" (Anglican Ink).
Jan. 5: "Justice for all? Why hasn't Bishop Cook who struck bicyclist Palermo been charged?" (Baltimore Brew); "Police Building Criminal Case Against Bishop Heather Cook for Fatal Hit-And-Run; Church Says Her Fate Is Out of Their Hands" (Christian Post); "The Episcopal Church investigates Md. bishop who fatally struck cyclist" (USA Today);" Episcopal bishop finally admits hit-and-run" (WND Commentary); "Sermon speaks volumes about cyclist's death" (Baltimore Sun); "Episcopal Church begins disciplinary proceedings against Maryland bishop who fatally struck cyclist" (Associated Press); "Episcopalian Church Ignored Gruesome DUI Report in Hiring First Female Bishop" (Breitbart); "Episcopal Church begins disciplinary proceedings against Bishop Cook" (Episcopal Cafe); "Maryland Bishop, Episcopal Clergy to Discuss Fatal Bike Crash" (Patch); and "Recovering alcoholic Church leaders speak against Heather Cook's elevation as Bishop in light of her 2010 DUI charge" (Christian Today).
Jan. 6: "Episcopal Diocese holds closed meeting over Bishop Heather Cook" (WBAL); "Title IV Enquiry on Bp. Cook" (The Living Church); "Local Clergy Learns More About Fatal Accident Involving Bishop" (WJZ); "Bishop Heather Cook Phoned Church to Reveal 'Shock' Minutes After Hit-And-Run Incident; Wasn't Sure She Hit Cyclist" (Christian Post); "Church: Maryland bishop who left scene of fatal crash was 'in shock'" (Baltimore Sun); and "Statement following the Meeting of Diocesan Clergy" (Diocese of Maryland).
BALTIMORE POLICE DECLINE STATEMENT
In seeking more factual information about the circumstance surrounding Bishop Cook's alleged accident, the Baltimore Police Department refused to identify the driver involved in the fatal hit & run. The Baltimore Police Department Media Relations Section Acting Captain J. Eric Kowalczyk responded to VOL's question with an e-mail.
"Good afternoon," Capt. Kowalczyk e-mailed. "We have received a number of requests for information regarding the fatal accident involving the cyclist in the 5700 block of Roland Ave., on Saturday [Dec. 28, 2014]. These investigations are complex and intricate, offering requiring detailed reconstruction and forensic examination. This is still a very active investigation that is being handled by our C.R.A.S.H. Team. In order not to jeopardize any potential prosecution, specific evidentiary details will not be released at this time. The identity of the driver and other specific information about the incident will not be confirmed at this time. Everyone's thoughts and prayers remain with the Palermo family. While there is significant public interest in this incident, the integrity of the investigation must be preserved."
To date, not only is the Baltimore Police Department declining to release accident information on a story which is garnering increased national and international interest, but the Episcopal New Service, the official voice of the National Church, has yet to run one story or post one word about Bishop Cook's legal entanglement. So far, ENS is ignoring the story that is widening by the day.
Late today (Jan. 6), following the start of the start of the Title IV process against Bishop Cook, Neva Rae Fox, the Episcopal Church's Public Affairs Officer, told the Baltimore Sun, "Currently, we are following the disciplinary processes of the church, and we are providing pastoral care. We hold Bishop Cook, the Diocese of Maryland and the Palermo family in our prayers."
Mary Ann Mueller is a journalist living in Texas. She is a regular contributor to VirtueOnline
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