Financial probe baffles rector of local church

The rector of an Anglican church is "surprised and baffled" by a judge's decision that a regional diocese investigate whether a local parish mishandled money after it withdrew from the Episcopal denomination.

"The judge's statement is absolutely not true," said the Rev. Matthew Kennedy, pastor of Church of the Good Shepherd in Binghamton. "We have nothing to hide. I want to answer their questions."

Supreme Court Judge Ferris D. Lebous, who earlier this year ruled the central New York diocese was entitled to Good Shepherd's property, said diocesan allegations the parish misused an endowment should be investigated.

Lebous said the diocese has "every right" to investigate and directed Kennedy and the church's treasurer to appear for deposition.

Kennedy said the diocese advised him of its intent to investigate.

A diocesan official in Syracuse refused to comment in reply to a reporter's question for specific information.

Instead, the Rev. Karen C. Lewis wrote in an e-mail, "I'm not sure if we want to do anything with this inquiry - this guy (reporter) is not known for his accurate and fair reporting."

Neither Lewis nor Bishop Gladstone Adams replied to a subsequent e-mail requesting specific information about the Press & Sun-Bulletin's reporting.

More here-

http://www.pressconnects.com/article/20090525/NEWS01/905250356/Financial+probe+baffles+rector+of+local+church

CENTRAL NEW YORK: Departing parishioners not entitled to bequest

A New York state trial court justice has ruled that members of Church of the Good Shepherd in Binghamton who left the Episcopal Church over theological differences are not entitled to keep a 1986 bequest of jewels and money.

Justice Ferris D. Lebous had ruled in January that Good Shepherd's property had been held in trust for the Diocese of Central New York and the entire Episcopal Church. The details of those rulings are available here. This part of the case dealt with a trust.

In his earlier ruling, Lebous had required the departing members to provide an accounting of the status of parish property. The diocese told the justice that some known property, including stock shares, was not produced. The justice found that no income had been flowing into the parish since April 2008.

Lebous found that "the parish was doing everything it could to spend down the assets, divert new income, and perhaps actively interfere with the diocese's right of ownership." He ruled that the diocese "has every right to conduct an investigation into the income and property of Good Shepherd."

The justice told the treasurer of the breakaway congregation and the Rev. Matthew Kennedy, the rector, that the investigation would begin with them being questioned within 45 days about what they had done with other church property.

“We are glad to know the judge was able to uphold how the church understands its own polity," Bishop Gladstone "Skip" Adams of Central New York told ENS in an emailed statement. "Although we are saddened by all that has occurred, we are glad it is moving towards final resolution in order that we may place all of our energy on our central work of the good news of the Gospel of Christ. We also appreciate the court’s expression of concern regarding Good Shepherd’s accounting, both financial and of other items, and its directive for further questioning into the usage of such funds."

More here-

http://www.episcopal-life.org/81803_107130_ENG_HTM.htm

Defeat evil with goodness, husband says

From Binghamton NY-

A grieving husband has an answer for those struggling to come to terms with Friday's massacre. "When people do things like this, we have to defeat them," David Marsland said. "The best way to defeat this man is to go out into the world and just be the most amazing person you can be." That's what Marsland said his wife, Hong Xiu Mao, was: Amazing. Hong Xiu Mao, 35, a native of China, died instantly Friday from a bullet wound to her chest, Marsland was told by Binghamton police. That morning, a gunman barricaded the back door of the American Civic Association building in Binghamton with a borrowed car, entered the front door, drew two semi-automatic handguns and killed 13 people before turning one of the guns on himself. Now the victims' families are traveling from far-flung countries to say goodbye. In addition to grieving, Marsland said Monday he is coping with suddenly being in the spotlight. Over the past four days, Marsland has chatted with a Chinese diplomat in his living room in Greene. He's also fielded telephone calls from newspapers and networks around the world seeking interviews. What's amazing to him is the outpouring of support from the local community and from others around the world. Funeral services for Hong Xiu Mao are at 11 a.m. Thursday at Zion Episcopal Church in Greene. Calling hours are 3 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the http://www.pressconnects.com/article/20090407/NEWS01/904070430/1116