Today, January 8, 2009, the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh asked a court for control of church assets still held by former diocesan leaders who have left the Episcopal Church.
The request was made in the context of an existing court order which stipulated that local Episcopal property must stay in the control of a diocese that is part of the Episcopal Church of the United States.
“We’re not asking for anything the court has not already addressed, or for anything former leaders have not already agreed to,” said the Rev. Dr. James Simons, President of the diocesan Standing Committee, the group currently leading the Pittsburgh Episcopal Diocese.
Are we to assume that this request includes all monies collected by the departed parishes for use in parish building funds, should they decide to erect new church buildings? Seems to me that Bishop Shaw in Massachusetts tried to do that, and the judge tossed the case out of court!
[blockquote]“We’re not asking for anything the court has not already addressed, or for anything former leaders have not already agreed to,†said the Rev. Dr. James Simons, President of the diocesan Standing Committee, the group currently leading the Pittsburgh Episcopal Diocese.[/blockquote]
What ?? The invoices from David Booth Beers must have started flooding their mailbox. And while we are here since when has ECUSA “agreeing” to something meant anything? Like Peter Lee agreeing with CANA(?) or Mde. Schori agreeing at DAR(?) or Griswold agreeing at Lambeth(?). You need a better script writer Mr. Simons.
Intercessor
Intercessor
Does the ‘church’ reside within a body of believers who have given their own money to sustain and often build their worship structures,
or does the ‘church’ exist as an unpeopled corporate abstract embodied in court documents?
Unpeopled pieces of real estate cannot generate revenue and will either fall into decay or be sold and this is where many church properties within ECUSA have gone and are destined to go.
Hmmm, Mr Simons, is this part of your moving forward towards healing and reconciliation campaign?
He will either be a puppet or he will be shoved aside. Looks like he is opting for the puppet role.