New Leadership Appointed at Texas Seminary Amid Controversy
A significant administrative shift is taking place at a Texas seminary linked to The Episcopal Church. The institution has named an interim president and dean following the dismissal of the previous leader due to an “inappropriate relationship” with a staff member.
The Board of Trustees of Seminary of the Southwest revealed on Tuesday that the Rt. Rev. Diane M. Jardine Bruce will assume the role of interim leader starting January 2, 2026.
This decision was made during a specially convened meeting last month, where the Board also decided to engage the Isaacson Miller search firm to locate a permanent dean and president.
The Rt. Rev. Kathryn M. Ryan, Chair of the Southwest Board of Trustees, highlighted Bruce’s capabilities, noting that she “takes a relational approach to her work of oversight, deepening trust through listening and partnering with other leaders.”
Ryan also emphasized Bruce’s understanding of the interim role, stating she will “strengthen the institution during a time of transition” and will be a “thoughtful and wise support and guide for our whole community.”
Bruce expressed her enthusiasm for the new position, saying she was “thrilled to join the students, staff, and faculty at Seminary of the Southwest and to walk with them and the Board through this time of transition.”
Bruce’s educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts from the University of California, Berkeley, a Master of Divinity from the Claremont School of Theology, and a Doctor of Ministry from Seabury-Western Theological Seminary.
Her professional journey includes serving as bishop suffragan for the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles from 2010 to 2021, before becoming bishop provisional for the Episcopal Diocese of West Missouri.
The seminary’s previous dean and president, Scott Bader-Saye, was removed from his post in September. This decision followed his unanimous election to the roles the previous year.
Bishop C. Andrew Doyle of the Diocese of Texas and Chair Ryan shared in a letter that Bader-Saye’s termination came “following his admission of developing an inappropriate relationship with an employee with whom he was in a supervisory relationship.”
The letter further detailed that Bader-Saye’s actions were in violation of the seminary’s professional standards as outlined in the Personnel Handbook and the Safeguarding God’s People policies, as well as the Faculty Handbook. They stated, “As Dean and President, he was responsible for abiding by those policies himself, as well as ensuring they were upheld by all members of the community and responding appropriately when they were not.”
This article was originally written by www.christianpost.com
