After biding its time for years, the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania has asked a civil court to remove the Rev. David Moyer as rector of the Church of the Good Shepherd in Rosemont, and to declare the diocese as owner of the renegade parish’s property.<\/p>\n
Moyer, a vocal critic of liberal trends in the Episcopal Church, has served as the parish’s rector and lived in its rectory since 1989, even though he was deposed as a priest nearly seven years ago.<\/p>\n
Last week, the diocese informed him and Good Shepherd’s vestry that it had petitioned Montgomery County Orphans Court to order the parish to transfer the title to its buildings, as well as all other assets, to the diocese.<\/p>\n
It also asked the court to “restrain and enjoin” Moyer “from further use and occupancy” of the site, which fronts on Lancaster Avenue.<\/p>\n