Realistically, how viable is the new denomination?
Historically, in the Anglican Communion, to form a new province required four existing dioceses to organize it and put forward a constitution. We have those four dioceses in Fort Worth, Pittsburgh, [San Joaquin, Calif.; and Quincy, Ill.]. ”‚.”‚.”‚.
I think the figure they were using [Wednesday] is .”‚.”‚. 100,000 average Sunday attendance. So it’s certainly viable financially, and it’s certainly viable in terms of number of dioceses involved because there are four already existing dioceses.
What do you foresee, legally and financially, for the local congregations that want to remain in Episcopal Church? Are lawsuits likely?
The congregations in this diocese that want to remain in TEC [Episcopal Church] will have to organize a new diocese or join an already existing diocese such as our neighboring Diocese of Dallas. I have offered my assistance to help them achieve this, as has the bishop of Dallas.
I certainly hope that lawsuits over property will be avoided and that a negotiated settlement will satisfy the interests of all parties. Sadly, the TEC authorities have been all too eager to litigate in disputes like this. However, unless the local churches want to litigate against the Diocese of Fort Worth, there isn’t much that the TEC leaders can do about it. Charity and forbearance are required on both sides.