It tells how the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia is in financial trouble because it WON the property of departing churches.
Before all this litigation, the Bishop of Virginia was very close to arranging an amicable agreement for the separation of the churches. KJS and David Booth Beers stepped in, all preliminary agreements were cancelled, and litigation began. And now TEC is in no shape to bail out the Diocese of Virginia. (Also note the Diocese of Washington is in very deep financial doo-doo, trying to wrest the Soper Trust from the PNC bank on extremely shaky grounds.)
If TEC wins in the Diocese of Fort Worth, the consequence will be even greater. TEC will have won not four, but 40 empty churches. To me, it makes no sense theologically or practically for TEC to continue to sue departing churches and dioceses for their property. It's just mean.
My opinion, and it's just that, is TEC is in a downward spiral that is accelerating because of bad decisions by the Presiding Bishop, inter alia.
It tells how the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia is in financial trouble because it WON the property of departing churches.
Before all this litigation, the Bishop of Virginia was very close to arranging an amicable agreement for the separation of the churches. KJS and David Booth Beers stepped in, all preliminary agreements were cancelled, and litigation began. And now TEC is in no shape to bail out the Diocese of Virginia. (Also note the Diocese of Washington is in very deep financial doo-doo, trying to wrest the Soper Trust from the PNC bank on extremely shaky grounds.)
If TEC wins in the Diocese of Fort Worth, the consequence will be even greater. TEC will have won not four, but 40 empty churches. To me, it makes no sense theologically or practically for TEC to continue to sue departing churches and dioceses for their property. It's just mean.
My opinion, and it's just that, is TEC is in a downward spiral that is accelerating because of bad decisions by the Presiding Bishop, inter alia.
Grant
If the departing congregations would stop trying to take what isn't theirs, then this wouldn't happen. You can't say you are leaving TEC and then stay in TEC property. Period.
I'm tired of these breakaways saying "Hey, let's make a deal and let us buy the property." as if they are doing TEC a big favor. After these groups have said terrible things about TEC and further insulted and injured TEC by leaving, TEC shouldn't give them a penny nor a square inch of space.
Just how would TEC benefit if they let CANA churches buy their buildings? It may benefit temporarily from the sale moneywise but what kind of message does this give? To me it would say, "Our property is not worth fighting for. Let's leave the remaining Episcopalians in those churches who didn't go with CANA high and dry. Money is more important than our parishioners! Let's sell out to people who don't like us instead!"
"The centrality of our mission is to love each other. That means caring for our neighbors. And it does not mean bickering about fine points of doctrine."- ++KJS http://kjsfanpage.blogspot.com/ http://chicksinpointyhats.blogspot.com/
"We are to be Christ's hands and feet and heart and mind and we cannot do that if we assume God's role of judgment. The judge's job is filled. God alone is judge! Those who would be Saviors of the Church and the people in it are also reminded that the Savior's job has been filled. Jesus Christ filled it once for all. "- Bishop Rodney Michel
Actually, I think it would better serve the church to just sale the buildings rather than go to court. Only winners in court are lawyers. Unless we have parishioners to fill those parishes it's no point in keeping them in TEC. No one wins at the end of the day, not TEC or ACNA or whatever other acronym there is.
Litany, you're just as vindictive as KJS. Having read the bad result of TEC litigating in Virginia, you say, "Press ahead, Katherine! Go get those bad people!" This, knowing that nothing good happens to TEC, win or lose.
Oh yes, the IRD --- the Institute on Religion and Democracy. This is an extreme rightwing think-tank which actively protagonizes its agenda vis-a-vis governmental and church policies. It's funded by a variety of ultra-conservative foundations.
The IRD is dominated by rightist evangelicals and dominionists; it has singled-out three mainline churches in particular: TEC, PCUSA, and UMC. This is because a high percentage of the intellectual, business, financial, and creative communities belong to these three churches.
IMHO, the IRD is dogmatically driven and subversive and mainline Christians should be acquainted with its serpentine agenda. It attempts to promote and fund rightwing insurrections, even schisms, within mainline churches in order to mute their voices for moderation and social justice.
The following article gives a good overview and is worth the read:
Well it's pretty basic if someone wants to take something that belongs to you would you fight to keep it or just give it it them, then i guess it depends on what it is.
Given the struggle I am not at all surprised that this hassle ensued. It is more than the buildings, it involves the right to represent the Anglican Communion in the US. The Communion, by Canon Law, cannot recognise both TEC and ACNA as being legitimate.
KJS recognized this and knew that even the SALE of the facilities would undermine TEC's legitimacy in the Anglican Communion. Of course she had to fight it. It would be better that an abandoned TEC church be converted into a saloon than for ACNA to get their hands on it.
Even a Baptist whose church is as fagmentary as a grenade understands this!
For those who have faith, no explanation is neccessary. For those who have no faith, no explanation is possible.
St. Thomas Aquinas
If one turns his ear from hearing the Law, even his prayer is an abomination. Proverbs 28:9
Given the struggle I am not at all surprised that this hassle ensued. It is more than the buildings, it involves the right to represent the Anglican Communion in the US. The Communion, by Canon Law, cannot recognise both TEC and ACNA as being legitimate.
Exactly the point.
KJS recognized this and knew that even the SALE of the facilities would undermine TEC's legitimacy in the Anglican Communion. Of course she had to fight it. It would be better that an abandoned TEC church be converted into a saloon than for ACNA to get their hands on it.
True, and one more point: under NY State corporate law --- TEC is incorporated under the applicable NYS statutes --- if PBKJS failed to protect and defend TEC's interests to the fullest, she would be prosecuted for breach of fiduciary, which is a serious felony.
Even a Baptist whose church is as fagmentary as a grenade understands this!
That's because you're not arguing from a narrow, special interest.
Walk Your Own DharmaPath--- Do No Harm.
The Socratic Standard: Follow the evidence;____ if it doesn't make sense, it's bull$#!+.
Given the struggle I am not at all surprised that this hassle ensued. It is more than the buildings, it involves the right to represent the Anglican Communion in the US. The Communion, by Canon Law, cannot recognise both TEC and ACNA as being legitimate.
KJS recognized this and knew that even the SALE of the facilities would undermine TEC's legitimacy in the Anglican Communion. Of course she had to fight it. It would be better that an abandoned TEC church be converted into a saloon than for ACNA to get their hands on it.
Even a Baptist whose church is as fagmentary as a grenade understands this!
I have to admit that I didn't consider this at first.
Thanks for the link to the description of IRD, Dutch.
"The Institute on Religion and Democracy (IRD), founded in 1981, describes itself as "an ecumenical alliance of U.S. Christians working to reform their churches' social witness, in accord with biblical and historic Christian teachings, thereby contributing to the renewal of democratic society at home and abroad.""
