A Public Statement from CAYA Pagan Congregation
February 2, 2018Come As You Are (CAYA) Pagan Congregation is a matriarchal, eclectic, interfaith, open, drop-in congregation in the San Francisco Bay Area. Our mission is to create safe, loving, magical space for those who wish to participate in our community rituals, public service initiatives, and social events.
The CAYA Council of Elders recently followed up on allegations of abuse by our former Presiding High Priestess, Jessica Matthews, aka Yeshe Rabbit. Jessica resigned, and as a result of her choice to resign while under investigation, she has been given the status of “not in good standing” within our community. CAYA Pagan Congregation has continued to actively examine and engage in open discussion around the issues that have arisen as a result of these allegations.
We would like to state clearly that CAYA has a Zero Tolerance Policy regarding violence, violent or threatening speech, harassment, or sexual assault by members of our Clergy. As a community, we will continue to collectively review and actively explore opportunities for improvement in our organizational culture, policies and processes. Our exploration and review will help us to ensure that we honor our commitment to providing a safe, welcoming and supportive environment for our members and the public. We are committed to co-creating a culture where people feel safe, heard, and empowered to come forward with any issues or concerns, regardless of anyone's individual role or position.
Blessed be.