Sexual misconduct finding ‘breaks the image’ of influential Mennonite leader

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This article was published 03/06/2021 (1932 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

“Heartbreaking.”

That’s how Doug Klassen, executive director of Mennonite Church Canada, described news Frank H. Epp, a prominent and nationally respected former Canadian church leader, author and historian, has posthumously been found guilty of sexual misconduct.

“It causes so much pain for everyone,” said Klassen, who lives in Winnipeg, of the impact on friends and families of both the survivor and Epp. “It breaks the image we have of such a beloved person.”

The finding of ministerial misconduct against Epp, who died in 1986, was announced May 27 by Mennonite Church Eastern Canada (part of Mennonite Church Canada) and Mennonite Central Committee Canada (where Epp was engaged when the misconduct occurred).

At the time, Epp was an ordained Mennonite minister and a board member of MCC Canada, which is headquartered in Winnipeg, and also chairman of its Peace Section program.

The official complaint was received in February by MCEC, which worked with MCC Canada on the investigation process.

Although investigators were unable to hear Epp’s version of events, through interviews and a review of historical documents they found sufficient and compelling corroboration for the allegation of ministerial sexual misconduct that included hugging, kissing and sexual intercourse.

The review of historical documents included a first-hand disclosure from the 1990s of the sexual misconduct — a disclosure that was not dealt with adequately at the time.

For Klassen, that is regrettable.

“Policies at that time for this kind of thing were not good,” he said, noting things are much different in the denomination now. “I’m thankful we now have policies now that allow victims to trust the process and come forward.”

Karen Grace Pankratz, director of human resources for MCC Canada, also acknowledged regret over how the complaint was originally handled.

“The policies at the time were much more limited than now,” she said, adding the response at the time did not meet current standards.

Today, the organization “grieves the pain and loss experienced by the victim due to the actions of a trusted leader,” she said.

MCC, she added, is committed to growing in how it responds to survivors of harassment, abuse, violence and trauma, so as to “better respond.”

In response to the finding, Epp’s daughter, Esther Epp-Tiessen, released a statement on behalf of his widow, Helen, and herself and her two sisters, saying they acknowledge and accept the findings of the investigation “into allegations of sexual misconduct by our husband and father.”

“We recognize the suffering of the victim and their family. We hope and pray for healing for all those affected.”

For Epp-Tiessen, releasing the statement was a way to show “it was important to indicate that we do not dispute the findings. I believe it is important for the church to deal openly and honestly with sexual misconduct as a way of helping to make the church a safe place.”

At the same time, she also says, “the truth, while very painful for us as family members to acknowledge, can ultimately contribute to healing for all.”

Epp, who was born in 1929 in Manitoba, held a variety of influential roles in Canadian Mennonite institutions.

He was founding editor of Canadian Mennonite magazine, served on the board and executive committee of MCC Canada, was part of the Mennonite World Conference leadership board, served as a part-time pastor for four congregations, and was a professor and president of Conrad Grebel University College in Waterloo, Ont.

He authored 12 books, including the highly regarded two-volume history, Mennonites in Canada.

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