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Bishop: Grace Epsicopal Can't Leave Diocese
March 26, 2007 5:44 PM
WHITNEY: The bishop of the Episcopal diocese of Colorado says Grace Episcopal Church in Colorado Springs cannot leave his diocese.
His announcement came just hours after Grace and St. Stephens Parish, the largest Episcopal congregation in Colorado, voted to end its affiliation with the Episcopal diocese of Colorado and the American Episcopal church. It says it will affiliate instead with the more conservative Convocation of Anglicans in North America, or CANA.
The split is a reflection of similar actions being taken by parishes across the country, which are protesting American Episcopal leadership. That leadership chose in 2003 to begin ordaining gay clergy and blessing same-sex marriages.
But, Bishop Robert O’Neill, Bishop of the diocese of Colorado says the church in Colorado Springs can’t leave. Diocese spokesperson Beckett Stokes reads from a release written by the bishop.
STOKES: “The fact is that people may leave the Episcopal Church but parishes cannot,” Bishop O’Neill stated. “Grace and Saint Stephen’s Church remains a parish of The Episcopal Diocese of Colorado and will continue to be so for any and all who desire to be members of The Episcopal Church.”
WHITNEY: O’Neill has removed the members of Grace’s vestry, or board of directors, and all other local church officers.
STOKES: Taking this step affords the Bishop the opportunity to provide appropriate pastoral care to those remaining within the Episcopal Church, while, at the same time, protecting the assets of the parish in light of the serious allegations pending against Father Armstrong concerning potential long-term and significant financial defalcations.
WHITNEY: The diocese placed Father Don Armstrong, rector of Grace and St. Stephen’s, under what is basically administrative leave while allegations against him are investigated. Both Father Armstrong and the church have retained prominent attorneys in the case, and some local parishioners are raising money for his legal defense.
Earlier today Jon Wroblewski, senior rector at the church explained why leaders of the approximately 2,000-member Grace and St. Stephens congregation chose to split from the diocese of Colorado and the Episcopal church of America.
WROBLEWSKI: we want to stay rooted in the Anglican tradition, and we feel that the Episcopal over the past few years has been moving away from traditional Biblical scripture. Traditional, conservative churches like ours have been increasingly uncomfortable with that.
WHITNEY: Wroblewski says the split is not solely over differing views on the roles of homosexuals in the church, but that it is a point of contention between Grace and national church leadership.
Beckett Stokes, spokesperson for Episcopal bishop of Colorado John O’Neill reads from the statement he issued today.
STOKES: “My primary pastoral concern is for all those who remain loyal to Grace and Saint Stephen’s and The Episcopal Church,” said Bishop O’Neill. In a letter sent out to parishioners today, Bishop O’Neill stated that they will hear from him soon regarding provisions for this Sunday’s worship and new pastoral leadership for the parish until such time as the parish is restored to its property.
WHITNEY: Bishop O’neill and leaders at Grace and St. Stephens appear to be at odds over church property.
WROBELESKI: Our position is that we built it, we maintain it, we attned it, it’s ours. And our name is on the deed, so we think we own the church.
WHITNEY: At this point, neither Bishop O’Neill nor the Episcopal diocese of Colorado are commenting beyond the press release issued this afternoon.
To read transcripts of our coverage of this story, log on to KRCC.org
With local news on KRCC, I’m Eric Whitney.
Posted by Eric Whitney on March 26, 2007 5:44 PM | Permalink
