A new lawsuit filed by The Episcopal Church (TEC) asks a federal court to effectively nullify a South Carolina Circuit Court order by granting a splinter group, formerly associated with the Diocese of South Carolina, control over the Diocese’s identity and properties.
“The national church’s suit is an apparent effort to move a state property rights case to a court that might support the denomination’s seizure of local assets,” said the Rev. Jim Lewis, Canon to Bishop Lawrence. “It seems to be more focused on undermining the state court’s authority and prolonging the litigation than addressing the underlying issue.”
The suit asks a federal court to prohibit Bishop Lawrence from doing what a South Carolina judge has ordered that only he can do: use the diocese’s names and symbols.
Praying to God, in Jesus’s holy name, for protection against the TEC thugs! Archbishop Welby, you are so concerned about reconciliation, how about this monstrosity of TEC suing and suing and suing Christians?
Sophy0075, he’s so insulated from all of this that he most likely sees little of it. He’s been bombarded with questions demanding answers, and hasn’t answered any of them yet. His office is asking us to give him time to settle into his job, which is normal, but how long must we keep waiting? How much more damage will he permit before he yanks the leash on Mrs Schori?
Cennydd13, alas, I am sure you are right. Archbishop Welby will be better insulated from the facts underlying the crisis in the Anglican Communion than R60-worth of insulation stuffed into an attic. I was simply engaging in a bit of rhetorical whinging. I don’t expect any human to solve this mess; instead, I know that God is in control and that even if I can’t see how He will use all things for good, He certainly can. In that regard, I loved Bishop Lawrence’s comment at the recent SC Dio convention about how to make God smile.
I did, too……and +++Welby needs to read it! Maybe it’d wake him up.
Don’t expect leash-yanking from any A of C. The good bishop is more likely to allow even more of the leash to play out. And he is busy – he can’t make to the event in Rome tomorrow (though another archbishop – the one from Constantinople – will be present).
Perhaps he and Schori have a play date set and it can’t be broken? On the other hand, reconciliation with Rome ought not be one of his top priorities since Rome hasn’t seen the light on women bishops yet, or partnered priestly civil unions, or any of the “real issues” on which the Pope needs to catch up with the times. Alternatively, Rowan’s low bar setting for the Anglican community is the current ABC’s as well or
Welby hasn’t had time to fill the ditch to raise it to an above ground visible level.
Yes, more reconciliation, TEC-style. Good job, Wells and Welby!
The only [b]true[/b] reconciliation would be that between Anglicans (minus TEC and their allies) of the Communion and those Anglicans currently not part of the Communion…..especially those who have been told that “they’re not Anglican at all, but only wannabes.” This has got to stop, and it’s time for a change.
Not only have we been told by Schori’s people that “you’re not Anglicans,” but we’ve been made to feel unwelcome by Canterbury. What did it for me was when the Church of England’s Synod said in effect that they weren’t ready to recognize us because we hadn’t been in existence long enough. How long is “long enough?” If +++Welby truly wants reconciliation, then why doesn’t he include us?
I may be naive but I can’t help but wonder what would happen if the courts disregard the first amendment in order to establish “The Episcopal Church in the United States†as a hierarchical church, and thus above the law when it comes to property (and other?) rights? Wouldn’t that set the precedent that other churches and even sects with strong top down leaders like David Koresh and Jim Jones would have the right to petition the courts to establish their church as hierarchical churches also?