Support for the Executive Leadership and Board of Trustees at Pacifica Graduate Institute

Certain individuals have launched a campaign against Dr. Leonie Mattison (aka Dr. Lee) because of her religious beliefs, claiming that her work under her personal brand, her prior writings and appearances, and her personal life create a conflict of interest with her position at Pacifica Graduate Institute. The claims go even further and say she is "proselytizing" through her position at Pacifica simply because she has prayed (a spiritual and symbolic ritual, which is a common occurrence at Pacifica with other religions and spiritualities) and because she incorporates her beliefs into her brand. Many other faculty and staff do the same, but no one bats an eye. 

This campaign is hurting the Pacifica community as it not only harms Dr. Lee (a real person in this situation), but it also harms the school's reputation and, therefore, its financial strength. Many of those campaigning against Dr. Lee and members of the Board of Trustees are not directly harmed by their actions. The students and faculty are. In the Board of Trustees General Session meeting on August 23, 2024, it was shared that applications are down, and if enrollment goes down along with it, the faculty raises that are supposed to go into effect September 1, 2024 may be impacted. This is real harm. 

We are choosing to express our support for Pacifica, Dr. Lee, our Executive Leaders, and the Board of Trustees. Depth psychology is not an easy path. Leading a large organization is not an easy path. Some of the challenges our school is facing right now are valid for a variety of reasons. But we do not believe that means Dr. Lee and our Board of Trustees are not qualified nor committed to Depth Psychology. There is no evidence that anything at Pacifica has changed due to anyone's Christian beliefs. 

It is also notable that those speaking loudly about this issue of religion have not had significant discussions with Dr. Lee directly about their concerns. This speaks to a considerable lack of a depth psychological approach to handling this matter. Conversely, the creators of this petition have. We have communicated concerns to Dr. Lee and discussed the difficult topics of religion, the acknowledgment of queer identity in the Pacifica community, issues of racial bias, other forms of discrimination, and more. Dr. Lee has always responded with a genuine, depth psychological perspective. 

We do not agree with this indirect and sensationalized approach, even as we support the students and faculty who are feeling frustrated and hurt in their own unique circumstances. We acknowledge that no leader, no leadership body, no institution, no field of study, and no human is perfect. We also acknowledge that conflict will happen. However, we believe that a resolution to the current conflicts is possible without scapegoating Dr. Lee or members of the Board of Trustees.

Lastly, those of us creating and signing this petition come from a variety of religious beliefs, including atheists, Pagans, Wiccans, Witches, Buddhists, Hindus, Jews, and more. Many of us have been hurt by Christians and Christianity. As people who have been harmed by religious bias, we cannot stand by and let it harm our community or those committed to leading our beloved institution.

Tending the soul in and of the world includes our leaders. We, the undersigned students, faculty, alumni, and other stakeholders, choose to express our support for school leadership, denounce the sensationalizing words and deeds of bad actors, and urge leadership to encourage a resolution of legitimate matters that tends to the souls of all involved.