On February 26th, 2008, the Right Rev. Colin R. Johnson, Bishop of Toronto had this to say:
Anglican Church is doing just fine
Crisis in the Anglican Church of Canada? I think not! While it is always a matter of great regret when anyone chooses to leave, surely recent reports of schism in Canada need some context. Of the approximately 2,300 parishes in Canada, about 15 have voted to “walk apart.”
Well, Colin, ANiC now has 3 bishops, 68 priests, 12 deacons, and 30 parishes with average Sunday attendance of around 3500 – larger than 13 ACoC dioceses.
The Diocese of new Westminster is 2 weeks into the trial that will determine ownership of ANiC parish buildings, the Diocese of Niagara has been awarded $95,000 costs even though they were seeking $320,000, leaving them $225,000 in the hole – a deficit that is conspicuously absent from their published financial statements.
Crisis? What crisis?
Actually the diocese was awarded $75,000. In an earlier case they sought $80,000 and were awarded $20,000
I wonder if the members of the diocese realize they are making up the very large remainder of these bills to sue their fellow Christians. I’m curious where this is going to come from as the diocese has not shown legal costs in their budget and to use it from some other fund would be inappropriate (not to mention illegal).
Oops – sorry David, I just did the math and realized you had put them together.