A judge has ruled in the Diocese’s favor on several points in its legal dispute with former leaders over the control of diocesan assets.
In a hearing today, April 17, 2009, Judge Joseph James of the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County, allowed Diocesan Chancellor Andy Roman’s appearance as the attorney for the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh of the Episcopal Church. The judge also granted a motion by The Episcopal Church to intervene in the case.
Both matters had been challenged in earlier court filing by attorneys representing former Bishop Robert Duncan and others who left the Episcopal Church last October.
Well at least frozen assets are assets that The Episcopal Church can’t use for suing faithful Christians.
I can agree with the mainline left that orthodoxy is not a licence to steal but I’ll leave determination of ownership to the court and supposing the Episcopalians win, what would they do with a bunch of emptied-out churches, sell them for the cash?
[url=http://sergesblog.blogspot.com/]High-church libertarian curmudgeon[/url]
This is not about buildings. It is about money in various accounts that the former diocese was holding. Parishes on both sides have money in the accounts (endowment funds) and the one side would not allow the other side to get at their money. It was then frozen. I hope the money will be released to its rightful owners. It is a shame that this had to be done in court, but the one side would not budge on their claim to the money
Eugene is not telling the whole story. The reorganizing TEC diocese within two weeks of the Oct 4th realignment vote demanded the continuing Episcopal Diocese (Anglican) begin an orderly transfer of ALL diocesan assets to them. The continuing Episcopal Diocese (Anglican) refused to do so and suggested a negociated settlement based on relative size (somewhere between 70%-30% and 60%-40%). The TECies have refused to enter into any negociation. It remains a winner-take-all end game because of TEC and the Simonites in Pittsburgh.
Thanks Mr. Wilson for clarifying the situation. My friends in Pittsburgh told me their church could not get their endowment money back. It is a shame that their money was not returned immediately by the SC folk. Maybe there was a reason that the SC folk held onto the money, but I guess it is safe now
By the way Mr. Wilson, you shouldn’t call the EDP (TEC) Simonites. It is like calling your group “Duncanites”. Not very nice
I am sorry, you are right I should not have been so flippant. It is just that to be sued after 20 years of ministry together leaves a bad taste in my mouth. It would be nice if the leadership on your side would refer in print to our leader as Bishop Duncan rather than simply Duncan –same, not very nice.
BTW, The Southern Cone folk have no intention of “keeping” the endowment funds of your friend’s church. They will gladly return it to them. It’s just that the TEC diocese will not allow our churches to keep our endowment funds. Capiche?
RE: “It would be nice if the leadership on your side would refer in print to our leader as Bishop Duncan rather than simply Duncan . . . ”
Really? I always say that the only people who can insult me are people whom I respect. People whom I don’t respect may *attempt* to insult, but it doesn’t usually work.
So I dunno. I kind of enjoy seeing demonstrated just how enraged they are on the other side. Always a good thing to know the emotional state and maturity of the opposition — good intel.
Mr. Wilson: I know that Bishop Duncan was re-elected as Bishop in EDP(SC), but I have not heard when he was reinstalled as Bishop of the EDP(SC). Maybe that is why some folk in TEC do not call him Bishop. Maybe he should be called Bishop elect or Bishop designate of the EDP(SC).
Can you let us know if he has been reinstalled? I seem to remember reading that he accepted his deposition as Bishop in TEC. Thanks
Eugene:
Bishop Duncan is a member of the Anglican Province of the Southern Cone HOB. He was re-elected as the Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh (Anglican-Southern Cone) on November 7, 2009. He may be a deposed TEC bishop but he is a validly ordained bishop in the Anglican Communion and is entitled to the whatever respect that one wants to give to that office. Whether or not he was re-installed as a diocesan bishop is moot as far as being addressed as Bishop. He will be installed as Archbishop of ACNA in Bedford TX at some point between June 22 and June 25. You are quite correct, he did not contest his deposition by the TEC HOB
I agree with my friend David that the legal business from the very beginning is leaving a sour taste. We are colleagues in Christian ministry in this community over many years and decades, and even now when we try to sort out the consequences of October 4 and the legal duties that fall upon us in our various corners of the world, we can and should speak with and about one another with respect and care. And pray for one another. I assure you that I and many others of us who have determined that remaining in the Episcopal Church is what we need to be doing continue to hold Bishop Duncan in our hearts with friendship and respect. Many of us.
In any case, I know that there’s not one of us on either side of this mess who wanted to be here this way, that we’ve all made mistakes, and that we all will make more. We’re traveling through unmapped seas. The lawyers will sort out what needs to be sorted out, I guess, and that’s what we all knew would have to happen as this all got going. No surprises. It is why some of us argued, long ago, for a “circle the wagons” approach rather than this. But we are where we are, and it is absolutely the case that a little humility is called for from all of us.
David, I’m thankful for the friendship and many kindnesses you and Gale have shared with me and Susy over these years, and I pray that our Lord Jesus will continue to bless your lives and the good ministry you have now in Bethel Park and in the wider diocese and community in which you serve.
Affectionately,
Bruce Robison
I kind of enjoy seeing demonstrated just how enraged they are on the other side. Always a good thing to know the emotional state and maturity of the opposition—good intel.
Right back at you. You lot often are nothing nice in the way that you refer to the Presiding Bishop or the Bishop of New Hampshire or just about anyone else who you take a shine to disliking or not approving. I see immaturity on these pages daily.
RE: “Right back at you.”
What is “right back at you”? You agree that it’s not really all that important to have worthy opponents refer to folks on the other side in a nice way? See — we have agreement! ; > )
RE: “You lot often are nothing nice in the way that you refer to the Presiding Bishop or the Bishop of New Hampshire or just about anyone else who you take a shine to disliking or not approving. I see immaturity on these pages daily.”
Oh I completely agree. Those who call Presiding Bishop Jefferts Schori or Bishop Robinson little snide names are certainly demonstrating their enragement and immaturity.
I was merely affirming that it’s not all that important what worthy opponents call those on our side — and you’re affirming the same for your side.
I see no reason for disagreement on this between the two of us. When I see or hear attempted insults from the other side, I smile — and it rolls away.
Thanks Bruce for the kind words. The feelings are mutual from Gale and me toward you and Suzy. I know there will be a day when all of this is behind us and those of us who loved and cared for each other over the years and haven’t sullied the waters can resume fellowship as brothers and sisters in Christ. BTW, I (we) have never happier in ministry than I have been in the past 10 months at St David’s — so glad to leave my former (and very challenging) parish behind. St. David’s is going from strength to strength and is growing once again. We see lots of visitors each week. Record attendance on Easter even some folks from your parish that have moved to Peter’s Twp — Scott and Lydia!
David, very glad to hear good news about the renewing ministry at St. David’s. I know there are some pretty subtantial challenges on the financial front, but however that works out, your spiritual leadership and pastoral care will be important. I saw your illustrious predecessor Mark down in Houston last week at the Communion Partners/ACI gathering, and he seems to be doing very well too. In any case, there are so many “unknowns” in the calculus of the present moment that I hope we are all of us careful not to “sully the waters” and keep doors open and bridges in place. Blessings.
Bruce Robison