Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Episcopal diocese sues to get Red Church back


From Modesto-
The Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin filed a lawsuit last week against St. James Anglican — the historic Red Church — in Sonora. It was news to St. James' priest, the Rev. Wolfgang Krismanits, on Monday afternoon. "We've had no word whatsoever," he said. "I've seen nothing yet. I didn't get an e-mail. I didn't get a phone call."

When told that a news release dated Friday said a lawsuit had been filed against his congregation, Krismanits replied with frustration: "This is what (the Episcopals) are doing. They're telling everyone else, but they're not contacting the congregation until after it's done."

Episcopal Bishop Jerry Lamb was at his home in New Mexico and unavailable for comment. St. James, started in 1860, is the fifth incorporated parish in the San Joaquin Diocese to be sued by Lamb since the 2007 diocesan split from the national church over differences of biblical interpretation, such as whether Jesus is the only way to salvation and whether homosexuals should be ordained.

Anglicans hold to a traditional interpretation, while Episcopals tend toward more a more liberal theology, as evidenced by the 2003 ordination of V. Gene Robinson, an openly gay man.
About 40 parishes in the San Joaquin Diocese followed Bishop John-David Schofield to oversight under an Anglican province in South America. About six parishes remained Episcopalian.

Read more:

http://www.modbee.com/2010/04/20/1135879/episcopal-diocese-sues-to-get.html#ixzz0ljDz1G92

1 comment:

Lisa Fox said...

That Modesto story is full of non-truth. It moved me to register there and post my comment. I urge others to do so. Mine is here.