Rick Sittler - adherent of Waterloo North Mennonite Church, ON

To the Boards of Mennonite Central Committee,

Greetings in the name of Christ, and all that stands for.
I am writing to you ahead of your meetings in Akron on October 17 and 18, 2025.

As church leaders committed to the values of peace, justice, and truth-telling, I am writing with deep concern about MCC’s ongoing response to survivor reports of harm. I believe this moment requires transparency, accountability, and courage.

I respectfully but firmly request that MCC:

1. Accept the facilitated conversation parameters proposed by facilitators Cory Lockhart and Rus Funk on June 21, 2025 for conversations with Anicka Fast and John Clarke. Agreeing to this modest and reasonable request is a necessary first step toward repair.

2. Commit to an independent external investigation into MCC’s handling of abuse allegations. Only an external process can provide the credibility, transparency, and impartiality needed to begin rebuilding trust. The choice of firm and the mandate of the investigation must be approved by the MCC Abuse Survivors Together (MAST) steering committee. The investigation must include binding public recommendations about accountability for perpetrators and reparations for survivors.

3. Release survivors and former staff from non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) that prevent truth-telling. If MCC values restorative justice, it must allow those harmed to speak freely. MCC Boards, you can take action by publicly committing to the #NDAfree pledge (see https://www.ndafree.org/pledge/).

Every time anyone who of you says this is not a systemic issue, or that there is no need of an external investigation, the magnitude of your hypocrisy in light of what MCC says it stands for, is an egregious abuse of power. As well as being a deception to your constituents. You have eyes to read and ears to listen to the 70 plus abuse accounts, so when the tide turns as it surely will,  HOW WILL YOU ANSWER!! when people ask, why did you deny the problem existed for so long, before admitting it publicly.

As a sign of my commitment, I have also taken financial action.  I am choosing to divert my regular donation to another organization until MCC commits to accountability. 

I take this step not out of hostility, but out of love for MCC’s mission and a desire to see it embody the values it proclaims. I urge you to act decisively at the all-boards meeting.

In faith and solidarity,
Rick Sittler

Consider this an open letter I have given MAST permission to share it on line.