During Easter Vigil, a drag queen host sparked controversy as an Episcopal Bishop humorously removed a female reverend’s collar

Some people were outraged when at a Boston, Massachusetts, Episcopal church hosting an Easter vigil emceed by a drag queen, the Episcopal bishop of the church jokingly removed the collar of a female reverend who forgot where she was during the eucharistic prayer.

Bishop Alan M. Gates removed the collar from the neck of Rev. Tamara Tucker, the priest for The Crossing, which states it is a ministry “providing a welcoming worship space for LGBTQIA+ folks” at The Cathedral Church of St. Paul on March 30.

“Very simply, we’re going to allow somebody to take their own piece of bread, the small piece of bread, and you will say to the person taking the bread,” Tucker said, then paused before continuing, “Wait, what is it, I’ve been gone for a while,” as the congregation laughed.

“The Body of Christ,” she continued. “It’s very simple, the Body of Christ, that’s it, that’s all you got to do. And then when they take the cup, you’ll pass it to them the Love of Christ, or the Blood of Christ, whichever is more comfortable to you. Can we do that? If I can do that after three months, I think we can. We got this.”

At that point, Gates walked over and removed the white, plastic insert as the congregation laughed. After a moment, he quipped, “Just kidding,” and handed her back the collar.

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Some people were offended; “It was just really sad that an occasion that is supposed to be joyous had to be marked by the specter of long-term misogyny that is pretty essential to Christianity, even in a church that feels like it has advanced past that,” Rev. Rita Powell, the chaplain for the Harvard Episcopal Community, told the Boston Globe.

“I know Bishop Gates didn’t think of it that way in his intention,” Powell added.

Gates ultimately released an apology, writing:

Dear colleagues and siblings in Christ,

I write to share my remorse and deep apology for an action by which I have caused deep pain and hurt. … In an instant of altogether misguided mischief, I reached out and removed Rev. Tamra’s clerical collar. It was a devastating and demeaning act, which I regret with all my heart.

The Rev. Tamra Tucker is a valued colleague and fine priest whose leadership it has been my honor to affirm. It was not and would never be my intent to humiliate Rev. Tamra; however, that was precisely the impact of my action. Furthermore, that hurt has extended to The Crossing community, whose pastor I disrespected, as well as others who were present or have subsequently learned of this incident and its impact. By my action I misused my authority, failed to extend episcopal grace, and transgressed personal space and boundaries. I am deeply sorry.

I extend my remorse and apology to the Rev. Tamra Tucker; to the Crossing community; to the Cathedral community; to other communities present; to ecumenical companions who had joined us at the Vigil; and to those in the wider church and community whom I have hurt.

In our baptismal covenant we pledge to “respect the dignity of every human being.” I seek forgiveness for my failure to keep this pledge, and God’s grace to renew that commitment.