Judgement To Deprive Two Local Anglican Congregations of Buildings

While our well-placed confidence in God's ultimate purposes stand, there is simply no denying that yesterday's announcement of a summary judgement against St. Annes Anglican Church and Holy Trinity Parish is a great disappointment for hundreds of faithful Christian families and individuals here in San Diego.

"The Court, having taken the above-entitled matter under submission on 11/06/2009 and having fully considered the arguments of all parties, both written and oral, as well as the evidence presented, now rules as follows: The court confirms its tentative rulings on both motions for summary judgment.  It is so ordered. Steven R. Denton"

There willl be more details and reaction posted here as it becomes available.

For now, barring any further, potential legal wrangling, the facts are that two active, faithful congregations, one of which my family attends, are faced with the prospect of eviction from the properties they purchased, maintained, and otherwise ministered in legally for generations with the clear expectation of being able to continue doing so.

In 2006, both St. Anne's Anglican Church, Oceanside and Holy Trinity Parish, Ocean Beach, citing practices and positions embraced by the Diocese as incompatible with Christian teaching, realigned with hundreds of other congregations nationwide under alternative oversight of Archbishops in other Anglican provinces in good standing with the World Wide Anglican Communion.  Both congregations have remained in their properties since that time and have expanded their membership.

The Episcopal Diocese of San Diego, maintaining that "people may leave, but property stays," is declaring the eviction ruling against these two congregations a victory.  Not all members in the Diocese see it this way, of course, as the organization negotiates unprecedented losses of clergy & congregations, overall declines in active membership, and substantial budget shortfalls.  So far, no plans to repopulate the buildings with congregants has been forthcoming from the Diocese.  It remains to be seen whether EDSD hopes to sell the buildings or convert them to non-parish uses.

However this story develops from here, one thing we know for sure is that God has already agreed to be the final judge of these property cases.  His purposes will thrive amid the shifting tides of this battle.  Let us be counted faithful and joyful in it until that time.

See also:
(more links will be added here as reactions & commentary are published)

• A reaction from Fr. Joe Rees, Rector of St. Annes, published earlier today
• "Diocese Prevails in Property Disputes," a statement by Episcopal Diocese of San Diego
• "San Diego Wrent Asunder" from Anglican Music
• "A Deal That ECUSA Cannot Refuse" from The Anglican Curmudgeon