We do not believe a property lawsuit is the best response to a congregation’s departure from the Episcopal Church. The number and intensity of lawsuits involving the Episcopal Church should be a source of shame for anyone who takes seriously these words of St. Paul: “The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated? Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers” (1 Cor. 6:7-8).
In too many cases, the Episcopal Church and departing congregations have convinced themselves that crushing their opposition is a matter of Christian stewardship. Both sides depict themselves as victims who have been forced into lawsuits by malevolent forces. Both sides sink millions of dollars into legal fees, even while loudly proclaiming how much they would rather spend these funds on Christian mission.
Amid this chaos, the Dennis Canon becomes the usual standard for sorting out who has a legitimate claim to property. It is good to have a standard for resolving property disputes, but the Dennis Canon too often could be judged by what our Lord had to say about another law: “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning” (Matt. 19:8).
This is pretty even handed. Either side could have taken the high road (and, incidentally, heaped burning coals on their opponents’ head); neither did. And both are judged pretty harshly in light of the uncompromising ethic that Jesus presents on the road from Caesarea Philippi to Jerusalem.
Is it just me, or is “The Living Church” returning to its traditionalist roots?
The Living Church’s return to “traditionalism” comes a bit late, but its editorial rightly exposes the shame of the lawsuits. But Mrs. Schori and her counsel are beyond reason at this point – their aim is to punish and destroy, no matter how much it costs TEC. She and her consort Mr Beers could have ended all this a long time ago, and to the benefit of both parties in their suits. They chose not to, and have exposed themselves as the unapologetically vindictive “Christians” they are.
Is it time for me to mention the plan adopted by a committee put together by Bp. Peter James Lee of Richmond (but buried by Schori/Beers)?
Yes.