A dispute within the church and the Fort Worth diocese has caused both to now worship at different buildings. But the ruling from the Judge John P. Chupp of the 141st District Court could signal a start to the reconciliation process and a return to the buildings they both said they’ve been a part of for many years.
“We are, of course, pleased with last week’s decisions,” said Coleman. “We hope it may hasten the day when our building at Burnett Street and Tenth will be returned to our use.”
The ongoing dispute several years in the making came to a crossroads this past Friday. Bishop Jack L. Iker is a leader of a movement to realign his followers under the South American-based Anglican Province of the Southern Cone, the branch of the church that is headquartered in Argentina.
It is fascinating that those who left the church in anger and hatred are now acting the part of the magnanimous landlord. We all know that there is a long way to go before this issue is finally settled. It will go all the way to the Texas Supreme Court and maybe farther. The tactic of TEC seems to be to continually file new charges and hope to run EDFW out of money. I wonder if most Episcopalians even know how much of their money is being spent on legal fees. Most of those who left could no longer afford to keep up the facilities. This story is far from over, and we will be discussing it for many years to come. In the meantime, any former members of All Saints, and indeed, any person who would like to be part of a joyous congregation will be welcomed with open arms and loving hearts.
This article, in addition to being very poorly written, really displays how these poor people are being used on the ground by strategists in NYC. These two, specifically, have been bamboozled into the belief that they will ultimately return to these properties and all will be well. Trouble is, you can’t have church buildings without money. The money is with the majority. One of these parishes could barely survive before 2008. The other is solidly in the ACNA camp. Can ten people support older buildings? The answer is no. What a shame.
I’m wondering how much of Bishop Iker’s group will remain in it for the long haul. I suspect that some will remain with the properties, no matter who is in charge of them, and some will tire of the conflict and may join other churches.
Frankly, it’s difficult enough being an Episcopalian here in Baptist, Church of Christ, and Roman Catholic country — fellow Texans don’t have much idea of what we’re all about, aside from the headlines. I imagine that it would be even more difficult to hold onto an Anglican identity with foreign leadership. It would be difficult to grow beyond the original group.
Interesting, Teatime2…we’ve grown precisely BECAUSE we stood up and left the TEC.