After years of negotiation with The Anglican Church seeking to honour communion; with those discontented 29 Canadian parishes and 3 bishops who broke communion and called the bishop of The Southern Cone to encroach will all make their case in a BC court today.
The case will be followed closely by other provinces facing Anglican property disputes. The case will take about 3 weeks, the ruling is not expected for several weeks after proceedings finish.
Who owns the property?
While this is not just about land and building ownership, years of wrangling make this an ongoing contentious issue for split Anglican congregations and I think there may be a fair amount of coverage by Canadian media as this several years long battle takes this legal turn. Religious Intelligence:
After one and a half days of mediation with Chief Justice Donald Brenner acting as the mediator, the Diocese of New Westminster and four Anglican Network in Canada (ANiC) parishes – St John’s (Shaughnessy), St Matthias and St Luke, and Church of the Good Shepherd in Vancouver, and St. Matthews in Abbotsford – failed to reach an agreement. The dispute over church properties will now proceed to trial in the BC Supreme Court commencing May 25.
On January 6, 2009, the parties appeared before Chief Justice Brenner requesting an expedited trial process and permission was granted. To reduce the time for trial and pre-trial procedures, they agreed to exchange most of their evidence by affidavits and cross-examine a number of witnesses before the trial. The trial begins May 25 and is set for three weeks.
Earlier this year, the ANiC parishes served a “Notice to Mediate†on the Diocese of New Westminster. The mediation was scheduled for two full days (May 14 and 15) but by noon today, an impasse was reached.
“We are very disappointed a settlement could not be reachedâ€, said Cheryl Chang, Chancellor of ANiC. “We were really hoping we could achieve a peaceful, mutually beneficial resolution of the matters in dispute.â€
This dispute arises from the current divide in the global Anglican Communion over profound theological differences. The Anglican Church of Canada’s (ACoC) Primates’ Theological Commission, in its recent “Galilee Report†acknowledged the division among the ACoC’s own theologians, reflecting the division in the broader Anglican Church. The report said, “We are not of one mind among ourselvesâ€.
Similarly, the recent meeting of the Anglican Consultative Council – one of the “Instruments of Unity†in the global Anglican Communion – demonstrated the depth of the division.
In light of this division in Anglicanism, the court will determine who the proper beneficiaries are of the trust over the church property of these four parishes – the diocese or the congregations which bought, paid for, renovated and maintained their church buildings, and who wish to continue upholding established Anglican teaching along with the majority of global Anglicans.
I’ve watched Anglicans work for unity for years, the pain, anger, grief, bitterness, demands, the willful choice of encroachment and breaking of communion for the ANiC which wants to be called Anglican without communion with a denomination it can no longer accept. It`s a have our cake and eat it too scenario to those of us looking in from the outside. The Anglican Church of Canada position.
It’s easier to pray “thy will be done” than it is “that they may be one.” – Don Niederfrank
I have no sympathy for the schismatics. I don’t understand how people can reject and rebuff The Anglican Church and demand to be called Anglican. The denomination decides polity, and if you reject and leave; how are you part of the denomination any more? How are you entitled to attempt to grab denominational property – it makes no sense to make a property grab of a group you have walked away from and rejected. You made the break for real and imagined purposes, make it a clean one. Leave. Some schismatic churches in the US have done so, others are choosing to go to court.
Schismatics want what they can get and are in court to fight for what they believe is theirs. The four BC groups were not kicked out, they left. They will not and say they cannot obey their local bishop and local synod. ANiC position
While it has been apparent over the years on BDBO I have little use for the ANiC, this is going to be a hard case with strong feelings that have hardened over the years.  I doubt the ANiC will accept a court ruling which goes against them, I hope I`m wrong and they`ll finally go in peace.  I stand in prayer with BC Anglicans and yes, I pray for ANiC schismatics and for the BC Justice who has a lot to listen to, weigh out and rule on.
Shit-for-brains!
Who Kevin?
Play nice.
It’s on the about page.
A Bishop, such as Rt Rev Michael Ingham, is supposed to follow the 39 articles of religion which he is not.
His book ‘Mansions of the Spirit’ was inspired by Hans Kung, a swiss Catholic Theologian who taught about interfaith who’s been excommunicated from being a professor.
Before that, he wrote a book called ‘Rites for a New Age’ on the Book of Alternative Services
Bishop Ingham does not believe in Christ’s bodily resurrection but has a new though liberal belief that Christ was resurected in the hearts of the apostles.
He’s our boss and he’s rejecting his vows
Since 2002, when Ingham said, “yes”, to same-sex unions, the Province of Canada has been asked to voluntarily withdraw from the Anglican Communion as come as observers.
Bishop Ingham is an nice, easy going, compromising, meet you half-way there type person. I get alomg with him well.
Our evening service warden at St John’s (Shaughnessy) Anglican is an Anglican from Africa sais, “The Bishop picks and chooses with the scriptures and the issue is with what the whole bible says”.
So, this is a Revisionist Theology our Bishop has embraced and bought into.
Bishop Ingham was born in England, educated in Scotland, has a Bachelor’s Degree in Divinity, Masters Degrees in Philosophy and Political Science.
The Anglican Church did not remarry divorcees until 1968 when the Canadian Laws on Divorce changed.
Before that, people would go over to the United Church
Now we’re dealing with same-sex unions
The Provinces of Canada and the United States are more liberal than Africa, Argentina, etc.
But what really happens to gays and lesbians both within and without the gay and lesbian communities?
How do they get treated?
It is true, in Canada, gay basing is pretty bad
What are the origins of the problems of these things and what are the solutions?
Will blessing same-sex unions be a solution to this or not?
To Bene D
I’ve learned a lot from you and read a lot about the Reconstructionist Theology of the New Apostolic Revolution as to how this movement is affecting things
The above situation with the Anglican Church is what is claimed to be Revsionist Theology with its’ New Thought Liberal Roots going back in the 1800s German Romantic Liberal Movement.
Do you think Bishop Ingham’s belief that Christ was resurrected in the hearts of the Apostles is okay or not?
We have Reconstructionists in the Subculture of the Extremist Charismatic Fringe Sects
We have Revisionists in the Anglican Church of Canada and the Episcopal Church of the USA
In Canada, Revisionists seems to show its’ head in te United Church of Canada was based on the German Romantic Liberal ,I believe, spelled Schleimecher.
The United Church of Canada went through this first and it’s still not over.
Now, we’re seeing this in the Aglican Church of Canada
Good question John, I’d have to look up Revisionist theology.
This dispute goes back over 30 years before Ingram was bishop and it will continue after he leaves unless the court settlement is acceptable to all parties.
Anglicanism is a broad tent and you just pointed out two extremes, I’m more down the middle. Extremes make the news, not the day to day believers working out their salvation with fear and trembling.
I believe Jesus was resurrected from the dead, “He is not here, he is risen.” I also believe He is in our hearts through the working of the Holy Spirit.
I honestly don’t know Revisionist theology. Thank you, I’ll read up when I have time.
To Bene D
During Confirmation Classes the Priest mentioned that most Anglicans are middle of the road with the two extremes on either sides
Our Priest mentions that Bishop Michael Ingham believes that Christ’s body was not resurrected but was resurrected in the hearts of tha Apostles
This is a newer belief going around that the Bishop has bought into.
At St Stephen’s Anglican Church in West Van a member asked why there are no bible studies and could there be one?
The Diocese sent a study that mentioned that Christ’s body was eaten by dogs
This person is a Barrister and Soliciter lives in West Vancouver and practices in the Downtown Westside of Vancouver
St Stephen’s Anglican has one morning service which he attends
In the evening he attends St John’s (Shaughnessy) Anglican
We have an 8am service attracting around 40 persons
The 9am 700 persons
11am 700 persons
6:30pm 200 persons
Almost 1650 persons on Sunday at its’ four services
There are 2,500 on the Parish list
You mention some extremes for sure, and you are correct Anglicans have extreme beliefs. I appreciate you bringing Revisionist theology to my attention.
The study suggesting Christ’s body eaten by dogs may have been a study point- not a belief. Did you see it?
To Bene D
This was the source of information of the bible study sent to St Stephen’s in West Van and not many attended it
John Crossan Dominic wrote the book: ‘Who Killed Jesus’
http://dannyreviews.com/h/Who_Killed_Jesus.html
Hi John:
Thanks!
Bene
At the Supreme Court of BC on Howe & Smithe in Vancouver was a three week long case where four Anglican Parishes, St Matthew’s Abbotsford, three Parishes in Vancouver: St Matthias & St Luke, St John’s (Shaughnessy), and the Church of the Good Shepherd
The results will be in mid fall or early winter
A number of Professors from Regent College questioned Bishop Michael Ingham’s beliefs
It was standing room only
Yeah, Packer is loved by the Regent folk, as well he should be, he served the school well, a professor of professors…
It’s in the courts hands now, personally I don’t think the breakaways have the right to the property, but at least we’ve had ample opportunity to hear both sides of the debate.
Courts have ruled differently in different juristictions.
The Anglicans aren’t going away and neither are the schismics.
Power, money, property and religion can make for interesting court drama.
It will be an interesting ruling to read.
Bene
These are some of the things I’ve heard could give you some insight as to what is going on between our Priests and Bishops in the Diocese of New Westminister:
I’ve talked with JI Packer at St John’s(Shaughnessy) and seen him on the show “Essentially Jesus” , which is no more, from St Aidan’s Parish back east.
Dr Packer sais, “There is nothing in the bible to support same-sex unions”
Our Rector David Short said, “Repentance” in an answer to a question of mine.
I’ve met Bishop Harvey at St John’s
I’ve heard Bishop Don Harvey from New Foundland preach at St John’s & Church of the Good Shepherd, he said, “I’ve talked to the Anglican Church and have said to them, ‘quit blessing same-sex unions’ ”
After that, he’d left the Anglican Church of Canada and joined the Anglican Church of the Southern Cone under Primate Venables
I’ve met Bishop Ingham at the Central Library in downtown Vancouver and at Christ Church Cathedral and heard him talk more than once.
He sais, “I don’t know why there are so many problems in our Diocese but I’m going to stay beyond my required time as Bishop until the Diocese becomes more stable”
I’ve heard Dr Korth from Christ Church Cathedral talk at St Paul’s Anglican to Integrity.
Integrity is for anyperson who is a friend or relative or inquiring about anything to do with Gays & Lesbians and for someone who feels they might be or are Gay or Lesbian
Dr Korth said, “I’d read 1/2 of the book by J.I.Packer ‘Knowing God’ and then put it down, Dr Packer seems to dislike anything liberal”
At the past Court Case, the persons representing the four Parishes taking Bishop Ingham to Court are questioning Bishop Ingham’s Theology
Bishop Ingham’s book ‘Mansions of the Spirit’ and a newpaper article in the Vancouver Sun about him mentioning, ‘Bishop Ingham does not believe in Christ’s bodily resurrection’
I’ve first read a book in our library ‘Two Religions one Church’ by Eves is a comparison of Liberal and Conservatives in the Anglican Church, then I read ‘Mansions of the Spirit’ by Michael Ingham