Comments on: Appeal likely in Anglican property case

By: Ellie M.

Ellie M. — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 23:23:02 +0000

As I’ve said before, if a Diocese “owns” all the church properties — as seems to be their contention — then parishes should stop paying their own bills and present them to the Diocese instead.

If the ANIC parishes had ceased to be Anglican and joined a different religion then the Diocese might have a point, but if anything the opposite is true. The Diocese has gone pagan/universalist, while the parishes wish to remain Anglican and Christian.

By: Frank Wirrell

Frank Wirrell — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 14:53:58 +0000

The reported comments by Peter Elliot clearly show the deceptive attitude of the Diocese. It was the Diocese that attempted to remove trustees and clergy from the parishes and the action by the parishes was necessary to stop that attempt. It is rather interesting that Judge Kelleher found that the action to remove the trustees was illegal. The proper action by the Diocese would be simply to let the properties remain in the hands of the ANiC. That would be the Christian response but the Diocese no longer worships our Lord and Saviour but the gods of political acceptance and political correctness – two questionable phrases which were adopted into our language. It is time for the Diocese – Michael Ingham, other clergy and parishioners – to repent and return to the truth of the Gospel. If they do take over the properties all parishioners across Canada should be very careful NOT to pay off any mortgages or make any contributions to repairs to buildings. The fact is that any judgement giving the Diocese the properties is nothing less than allowing a bank robber to retain his loot.

By: stuck in Toronto

stuck in Toronto — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 19:51:01 +0000

Well said Krista, I am in complete sympathy with the four congregations and I pray for them that their actions are the will of God. Initially I was uncomfortable with St. John’s people’s warden Lesley Bentley’s comment “Maybe this is the mission that God’s given us right now”. Given Reverend Stewart’s comments and interpreting them to mean that the primary purpose is defending Christ has caused me to, A) rethink my prayer and B) make a donation to the ANiC legal fund

By: Krista

Krista — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 17:05:57 +0000

Peter Elliot’s comment “we didn’t initiate this (court) action, but we’ll participate” is a common refrain from the Diocese of New Westminster– portraying a kind of innocence in the whole affair. But their role in this court action is like if I attempted to take control of my very capable mother’s assetts, and she takes me to court to stop me, and then, I justify myself to the rest of my family by saying “but, I never started the court action”. The 4 churches initiated the court action because the Diocese of New Westminster attempted to fire the Trustees, and take over St. Matthews, Abbotsford, and St. Matthias/St. Luke.