From the Abbotsford News:
St. Matthew’s Anglican Church in Abbotsford has backed off on its plans to apply for a stay on a court ruling that the Diocese of New Westminster hold a service there on Sunday (Aug. 29).
The church, which is among four parishes in a legal battle with the diocese over same-sex blessings, held a meeting Wednesday night with its parish council and trustees. They agreed to the diocese’s offer to hold the service in the St. Matthew’s parish hall, instead of the sanctuary.
The trustees will also grant the diocese access to the hall, kitchen area and downstairs washrooms.
An appeal begins Sept. 13 on a court ruling reached last November that stated St. Matthew’s and the three other parishes – all based in Vancouver – were using church properties “outside of the jurisdiction of the diocese,” which supports same-sex blessings.
The parishes have maintained that allowing same-sex blessings is contrary to core Anglican doctrine. They have refused to vacate the premises, and launched an appeal against the November ruling.
In June, the Supreme Court of B.C. ordered the churches to pay about $120,000 in court costs to the diocese. That decision is also being appealed as part of the larger appeal.
The court also ruled that St. Matthew’s permit the diocese to hold one service a week on the premises.
That service now takes place at 8 a.m. on Sunday. St. Matthew’s Church is located at 2010 Guilford Drive.
While I fully accept the decision of our council, I do have to question the motives of those behind the request including some prominent citizens of Abbotsford. It is tragic to see how they have traded their allegiance from our Lord and Saviour to the apostasy being toted and proclaimed by the Diocese. You cannot truly celebrate our Lord’s Supper if you do not truly believe in the uniqueness of Jesus Christ and fully accept the authority of Scripture.
Who are the clergy there?
A bit of an update – a St. Matthew’s parishoner monitored the diocese’s service. There were about 30 people there. The person monitoring recognized about six of them as former St. Matthew’s people.
Perhaps it should be pointed out to the judge that with an ACoC congregation of only 30 people, the Diocese would most certainly sell the property, as it is doing with many of its other dying parishes. Once the Diocese sells the property it will never again be used for what the Diocese claims it should be used for. Consequently, the only way for the building to continue to be used as a place of Worship is for it to be owned by ANiC.
Good point.