The Diocese of Huron won a court case against the ANiC parishioners who paid for and maintain St. Aidan’s in Windsor. The parishioners were evicted and the diocese took possession of the building.
One would think that this would be enough for the diocese, but, no: they also sued for $445,486.37 in court costs.
This goes to show that the grasping avarice often associated with the legal profession pales to insignificance when compared to that of the average Canadian Anglican bishop – Bishop Robert F. Bennett in this case; although, come to think of it, he is a mediocre rather than an average bishop. Perhaps Bennett needs to reread the Five Marks of Mission that are so beloved by his denomination, paying particular attention to “To respond to human need by loving service” and “To seek to transform unjust structures of society”.
The judge denied the diocese the $445,486.37; never mind, Bob, to assuage your financial embarrassment, you could always pass a tin cup to Colin Johnson and James Cowan.
From here:
In a decision released on September 26, Justice H A Rady of the Superior Court of Ontario denied the Diocese of Huron’s bid to exact legal costs from the leadership and parish of ANiC’s St Aidan’s (Windsor, ON). He says: “…I have come to the conclusion that it would be fair and just that the parties bear their own costs.” The Diocese of Huron had been seeking $445,486.37 from the people of St Aidan’s and has now appealed this decision. Your prayer support is appreciated.
When this Diocese was sued because of the residential schools issues, the Bishop sent a letter to say that the church was owned by the congregation, not the Diocese so that the churches could not be used as assets to pay for the lawsuits. When the congregation lays claim to the property suddenly the ownership reverts back to the Diocese. Interesting how conveniently the ownership can be shifted at the whim of the Bishop. How corrupt!
Look at the court if you want to see the real corruption. Everyone knows that the building belongs to those who paid for it, including the judges, but, because the diocese is promoting a secular agenda, the secular court awards them someone else’s property. I wonder what they would have done in response to a sit in (with media cameras).
Interesting point Roger.
It is clear to me that the governance of the Anglican Church is very archaic, It is nothing more than ecclesiastical feudalism and has no place in the 21st century. The Bishops are the Lords and the congregations are the tenant farmers. Congregations just “rent” the buildings from their Lords and masters who can evict them on a whim. If the tenants fight back, the Lord Bishops seeks help from government appointed Lord judges who dress just as funny.
I agree with Saskatchewan Farmer and I sent a letter to my last Bishop stating this. The Executive Officer was very upset. The Lords had to provide the buildings in the feudal system before mortgages but now it is a totally different century. I am glad to see that in ANIC the churches are owned by the congregation even though the system of Bishops etc. stays the same.
…but we have awesome bishops.
Kate
Right on! Shepherds of the faith, not Lords of the land.
I confess I kind of hope Charlie doesn’t win the election – because then we probably won’t see him as much up here….
As an ‘ex-paitriate’ priest, ordained in Huron in ’86, and served at St. Aidan’s for a year, I am aghast that such a hostile environment has developed in my home diocese.
I am grateful that I have been called forth and enjoy the vibrant Anglican community here in Kenya.
All the comments are excellent.