A statement issued by the Diocese of Massachusetts concerning the self-inflicted death of Bishop David Johnson [TLC, Jan. 29] reveals that the bishop had been involved in several extra-marital affairs and that he had made at least one previous attempt at taking his own life.

The statement, released Jan. 26 and signed by three bishops and the standing committee of Massachusetts, indicates such information "needs to be shared with the people of this diocese and with the Episcopal Church at large and the wider community.

"It is clear that Bishop Johnson was involved in several extra-marital relationships at different times throughout his years of ministry, both as a priest and bishop," the statement revealed. "At least some of these relationships appear to have been of the character of sexual exploitation. Detailed information about these relationships is still lacking."

According to the statement, Bishop Johnson had struggled with depression over the years and that there had been at least one attempt at suicide.

"Our purpose in sharing this information now is to begin the critical process of healing," it continues. "We seek to help any and all injured individuals in any appropriate way we can, if they make themselves and their wishes known to us. We assure everyone that we will respect their understandable wish to keep their coming forward confidential."

The statement was signed by the Rt. Rev. M. Thomas Shaw, S.S.J.E., who will succeed Bishop Johnson as Bishop of Massachusetts, the Rt. Rev. Barbara Harris, Suffragan Bishop, and the Most Rev. Edmond L. Browning, Presiding Bishop, as well as the standing committee members.

"We realize that many would prefer that these hard truths remain undisclosed out of respect for Bishop Johnson's family and the many good things he accomplished," the statement said. "But our years of struggling in the church with the issue of clergy sexual exploitation and many other issues that cause such pain and division have shown us again and again that such healing can only take place when we begin to face such truths together."

Diocesan clergy and lay leaders were summoned to a meeting Feb. 1 "to begin to deal with the issues this situation raises for the diocese."