First Story from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette-
A group of 55 congregations that split from the Episcopal Church last year announced this morning that they will appeal an Oct. 6 court ruling that awarded all centrally held diocesan assets to the 27 congregations that remained in the Episcopal Church.
The group also announced that it was changing its name to The Anglican Diocese of Pittsburgh. They were formally known as the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh (Anglican).
The Anglican diocese is appealing the decision because leaders feared it would set a precedent that would allow the Episcopal diocese to take not only $6 million of centrally held diocesan assets, but also $14 million of diocesan assets that are held in trust for local parishes.
"We believe we have to make this stand," said the Rev. Jonathan Millard, rector of Church of the Ascension in Oakland and chair of the Alliance for an Anglican Future.
If the Anglican diocese were to lose parish assets as well, it would hurt not only the 55 congregations that directly use them, but also the communities that benefit from church programs like food pantries and outreach to the homeless, said the Rev. Karen Stevenson, rector of Trinity Church in Washington, Pa.
Rev. Millard said the Anglican diocese thought an equitable split would involve "sharing assets, not winner-takes-all."
"That just seems manifestly unfair," he said.
Archbishop Robert Duncan of the Anglican diocese said he hopes to "open those conversations" about sharing assets with Bishop Kenneth Price, Jr. of the Episcopal Diocese soon. Both parties are scheduled to meet today with a special master appointed by the court to inventory the assets involved.
The split was created on Oct. 4, 2008, when the majority of clergy and laity at a convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh voted to follow Bishop Duncan out of the Episcopal Church, which they believed had failed to uphold biblical doctrine on matters ranging from salvation to sexuality.
The Episcopal diocese did not immediately have a comment this morning, said spokesman Rich Creehan.
http://post-gazette.com/pg/09302/1009253-100.stm
1 comment:
Just so I get this straight. After conversion (aka theft) of assets the thieves want everyone to share the properties?
Sounds like the robbers of a 7-11 offering to share the loot with the store owner claiming it would be "fair" and permit both parties to be winners . . .
San Joaquin Attorney
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