The following is a statement of Redeemer Parish to the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh upon the Relinquishment of Its Property:
May 31, 2012After prayerful consideration, the Vestry of Redeemer Parish has decided that it is not interested in “purchasing” any property from the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh. We had hoped to quickly reach agreement on the list of items we wanted to take to our new home, but the Episcopal Diocese’s response - particularly its interest in “retaining” memorial gifts and items purchased after we realigned with the Anglican Diocese - make clear to us that this is not possible.We cannot agree to “purchase” items of property that were lovingly donated by our parish members for the use of our congregation. The Episcopal Diocese sued for our shirt. We hereby give you our coat. Matthew 5:40.We have completed our departure from St. David’s.We have taken only our personal property and that which is not ours to give - 9 green striped chairs and spinet piano that the owners loaned to the church.The Clergy, Vestry and People
The Anglican Parish of Christ the Redeemer in the South Hills
Canonsburg Pennsylvania 15317
[H/T: The Rev. David Wilson, Redeemer Parish. There is more on this story here.]
The Episcopal Church (USA) is garnering even more helpful publicity these days from its property “victories” (I call them “Dog in the Manger” stories). Check out this article about how the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia has no congregations to put in the [three] largest churches which it took over recently—The Falls Church, Truro Chuch, [and Church of the Epiphany, Herndon]. [H/T: Baby Blue.]
This was my late father's last parish before he retired (at 86)- he served and loved these folks for many years, and they are dear to me.
ReplyDeleteThe TEC Diocese would not let the departing parish leave with as much as a communion set to celebrate the Eucharist. Part of me rejoices for them (Free at last, thank God Almighty!), and part of me mourns - mostly for the TEC Diocese and their mean-spirited ways. May they have a "road to Damascus" experience and soon. They hurt themselves ever so much more than the hurt that they inflict on others.
Well done. This is how things should have been handled across the board from the start. Churches are buildings. When Christians start obsessing about material property then we have a problem. Let the heretics have the empty buildings. I can't think of a better symbol of what TEO has become.
ReplyDeleteYou and I both know (#1) that your father is smiling today at us from the throne room of grace. Not only would the TEC Diocese not let us leave with so much as a communion set (#1), but letters were written by the living donors (who had made gifts to us in the interim) stating their clear intention to make their donations to the departing Anglican congregation. These were scanned and forwarded by our lawyer to the EDOP lawyer, all to no avail. The Episcopal Diocese did not honor those requests. Some of the gifts they retained and some they offered to us for purchase, hence our response
ReplyDeleteNo worries. A short time from now, joy will suddenly fill your heart as those famous words echo in your mind, "Free at last, free at last, thank God Almighty, I'm free at last."
ReplyDeleteXenophore:
ReplyDeleteWe had our first service at our new facility last week and I shouted those very words to the congregation as the opening acclamation. The entire nave erupted in clapping and cheering!
David Wilson
Your hard work paid off and achieved a gay-free church. That must have been an extremely important goal.
ReplyDeleteCatherine, your very, very belated comment on this post makes no sense: whom are you addressing? I have published it in order to give you a chance to elaborate on your thoughts (no ad hominem invective, please).
ReplyDelete