[Donald] Helmandollar said the parish plans to rebut the lawsuit’s assertions. The lawsuit was no surprise, he said, but the idea that church leaders would use a lawsuit to resolve the issue still struck an emotional chord.
“It just feels kind of strange to be sued personally, for myself and my vestry members, by your church, or what used to be your church,” he said. “It just doesn’t sit well.”
The lawsuit follows months of skirmishes between the parish and the diocese, part of a wider dispute unfolding within the Episcopal Church nationwide related to the 2003 election of an openly gay man as bishop of New Hampshire and the church’s blessing of same-sex unions.
It should be obvious by this point: pecusa doesn’t care about what Scripture says about human sexuality, so why would we expect them to care what Scripture says about lawsuits?
Saint Paul warned Christians about taking any religious issue to a civil court (this includes the ecusa). I wonder what is going to happen when it runs out of its suing funds?
Harvey:
If all the so-called “orthodox” churches and dioceses in TEC revolted tomorrow, it would run out of suing funds rather quickly. If they don’t, the continued orthodox inaction will allow TEC to attack these churches indefinitely, and at its leisure. Sanguinely, patiently, and confidently.
William
To TonyinCNY and Harvey,
You are correct in your appeals to Scripture. I agree wholeheartedly that it would be nice if Christians could settle their differences without lawyers and judges getting involved. However, we live in an imperfect world and the church attracts all sorts and conditions of sinners and evil people with agendas, personality disorders, etc…, which in certain cases makes the Scriptural ideal impossible. This is especially true where there is a huge power differential such as in a relationship between a Diocese and a Parish, a Bishop and Priest, and a Rector and Assistant. I have experience in the last example – I am victim of “Rector abuse.” While it was occurring, I attempted to resolve the problem in a Christian way. My attempts occurred over several months, but in every case he was unwilling to play by “Jesus’ rules.” In his case, power over humility prevailed in his life and he eventually fired me, ripped my son out of the parish’s Episcopal School, forbade my family from attending any more parish functions, and threw us out of the Rectory. For many reasons, my wife and I decided not to sue him, but instead secular lawyers (one Jewish and one Christian) worked together to negotiate a settlement out of court. Again, I would like to think that God’s family (especially those who are Orthodox Anglicans) could work things out without lawyers and judges, but in certain cases it is an unfortunate necessity.
I am always reminded of some sage advice a mentor priest of mine gave me a few years back. He said it in jest, but I think much truth is spoken in jest. He said, “I firmly believe there are more priests in hell than lawyers. At least the lawyers are doing their job.”
How can you trespass on your own property?