From this Sunday’s Church of England Newspaper. It’s subscription only, so I can’t post a link. I have removed a paragraph containing a description of a couple of the items in dispute:
The Church of England Newspaper
12 May, 2013
Canadian Bishop takes action against a troublesome blogger
THE BISHOP of the Diocese of Niagara in the Anglican Church of Canada has filed a lawsuit against conservative blogger claiming “defamation of character”.
On 19 February David Jenkins, author of the Anglican Samizdat blog received notice that Bishop Bird had asked a court to shut down his blog, ban him from making further comments about him and to pay him $400,000 in damages.
Mr Jenkins stated that he had been surprised by the lawsuit. “Contrary to what one might expect in such circumstances, I did not receive a cease and desist letter in advance of the suit.”
The Statement of Claim filed with the Ontario Superior Court Justice alleged Mr Jenkins maliciously and falsely stated Bishop Bird was a “weak and ineffectual leader and that his actions were motivated by avarice or financial gain”. He also claimed that the bishop was a “thief” and had a “sexual fetish”, and that he was an “atheist and heretic bent upon the destruction of Christianity.”
[….]
The 31 posts cited in the complaint were subsequently removed from his website. At the bishop’s request other posts were also taking down, Mr Jenkins noted, “as a gesture of good faith.”
“I have made offers to settle and meet/talk, but they have been rejected,” he added.
Should read, “Canadian Blogger Takes Action Against Troublesome Bishop.” Maybe their proofreader was off sick.
“Troublesome”.
You are in good company of those called troublesome by hypocrites.
I was immediately reminded of Henry II’s alleged comment about St. Thomas a Becket: “Will no one rid me of this turbulent priest?”
Good line. Perhaps David should start wearing — and blogging about wearing, to be sure!! — a hairshirt to emphasize the resemblance (and to get the good Bishop to leave his wallet alone)?
Like Gordon, I too thought of the martyrdom of St. Thomas a Becket. Killed in front of the altar, if I recall.
I did not realise the venerable bishop had been extended offers for negotiation. Apparently reconciliation and dialog is only for people he likes.
Anglicans don’t often practice what they preach. I am also always hearing from then about dialoging and reconciliation. It’s their mantra. That’s just so that the punters admire them. It has nothing to do with the way they really behave.
“What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs.”
I have had my say…
http://www.abbacanada.org/letter.html
Malachy
Dear Mr. Jenkins:
As the former hateful target of Official Anglican Rage™, I must say “Well Done, Then”. These thin-skinned radicals are cheerful wreckers of the church (clergy, laypeople, property) entrusted to them, but incapable of being subjects of scrutiny, fact-checking, or criticism.
Tell the truth, be cheerful and persistent, and submit all you do to the Spirit of God, so that good might be done, cynicism avoided, and pride kept low.
Cheers,
Binks
Formerly of Prayerbook.ca, CaNN, Fr. Crouse Web, &c.