The Diocese of Central NY is mentioned in the following article as having the fifth largest decline in Average Sunday Attendance in ECUSA. ed.
Latest News
Attendance Declines Put 20/20 Goals in Jeopardy
01/31/2006
Just 11 of the Episcopal Church’s 100 domestic dioceses had an increase in average Sunday attendance (ASA) from 2003 to 2004, figures released by the Episcopal Church Center indicate, with attendance for the whole Church declining by 3.3 percent.
Church-wide attendance information was released last summer, but the attendance information for each diocese has only recently been made available.
The missionary Diocese of Navajoland experienced the sharpest percentage increase among all dioceses in 2004, increasing its ASA by 10.4 percent, followed by North Dakota at 4.0 percent. Other dioceses that had an increase in ASA were South Carolina at 3.1 percent, Western Kansas at 2.9 percent, Southwestern Virginia 1.8, Quincy 1.6, Dallas 1.4, Nevada 0.7, Western Michigan 0.6, Wyoming 0.6, and Alabama 0.1.
The Diocese of Eastern Michigan experienced the highest one-year drop in attendance, falling by 12.5 percent, followed by El Camino Real at 9.2 percent, Minnesota at 7.9 percent, Oklahoma at 7.8 percent, Northern Indiana at 7.1 percent, East Tennessee at 6.6 percent, Spokane at 6.4 percent, Central Florida at 6.4 percent, Utah at 6.4 percent, and Western Louisiana 6.3 percent.
Kirk Hadaway, director of research and congregational development at the Episcopal Church Center, cautioned against putting too much emphasis on one-year changes in ASA for individual dioceses because small changes at even one congregation can have a significant effect on diocesan ASA.
Between 1994 and 2004, ASA for the Church as a whole declined by 32,749, or by 4 percent. The dioceses of South Carolina and Tennessee each grew by 26.2 percent, closely followed by Dallas at 21.8, San Diego 13 and Texas 12.7.
Western Louisiana declined by 20.7 percent in the same period, followed by South Dakota 20.5, Rochester 20.2, Western New York 19.7 and Central New York 19.3.
“Through 2001 attendance was increasing,” Mr. Hadaway said. “As recently as 2002 there was optimism about where we were heading. We were one of the few mainline denominations experiencing growth up to that point. [The 74th] General Convention [in 2003] was certainly a factor, but we can’t say exactly how much.”
Mr. Hadaway said that other factors such as the average age of Episcopalians and secularizing cultural trends probably account for more of the decline than any specific incident. As more of the Church’s resources become focused on dealing with conflict, however, less attention is paid to mission and planting new churches.
“You don’t hear much about 20/20 right now,” he said. “We need to grow just to offset the mortality rate. If the 2003 General Convention had never happened, the statistics would still be problematic.”
To find more news, feature articles, and commentary not available online, we invite you to subscribe to The Living Church magazine.
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Sunday, January 29, 2006
Diocese of Central NY refuses to accept Rwandan priest
The Rt. Rev. Gladstone Adams, Bishop
310 Montgomery Street
Syracuse NY 13202
January 23, 2006
Dear Bishop Adams:
I am in receipt of the letter of Kathryn Eden dated January 19, 2006 in her capacity as president of the standing committee informing me that the standing committee will not be recommending me for reception into the Episcopal Church and this diocese. When I was before the standing committee on January 10, 2006, I stated that I would be willing to sign the affirmation under Canon III.11.4 to “promise in writing to submit in all things to the Discipline of this Church without recourse to any other ecclesiastical jurisdiction or foreign civil jurisdiction.” In fact, I emphatically stated that I took that promise very seriously. But apparently they did not accept me on my word, since they raise “some unresolved issues concerning the Episcopal Church and [my] connection with the Church of Rwanda.” I want to be clear: while my offer to make the promises required by Canon was very sincere and without reservation, my answers to the other questions posed to me by the Standing Committee are the result of prayerful consideration and I do not foresee my position changing at any time in the future.
As you know from the letters dimissory of Archbishop Kolini which were delivered to you a year ago this month, I am a priest in the Anglican Province of the Church of Rwanda. My parish has never understood the logic of your insistence on a Canon III.11 process for my acceptance into this diocese, since that canon applies only to priests ordained in churches in the historic succession but not in communion with this church. Because the Church of Rwanda is in communion with the Episcopal Church in the United States (at least from America’s perspective) the parish does not see the need for a Canon III.11 procedure, but we were willing to accommodate it at your request. The standing committee’s judgment that “we cannot certify you to continue in the process” puts an end to that Canon III.11 reception process.
Since you have indicated that the recommendation of the standing committee was necessary for my reception, we are apparently at the end of the line. Since you are not willing to accept me under Canon III.12 as a priest in the Church of Rwanda, we would ask that you return to the parish the letters dimissory of Archbishop Kolini.
This action indicates that the Diocese of Central New York is not in communion with the Church of Rwanda, which is an indication that Central New York is withdrawing from the worldwide Anglican Communion. Our prayers continue to be with you and the diocese as you move ahead with your decision, in the words of the Windsor Report, “to walk apart” from the Communion of the wider church. Obviously, we refuse to abandon the Anglican Communion.
If you wish to discuss this matter further, I am available to meet with you at your convenience.
Sincerely,
Robert Hackendorf,
Rector
St Andrew's, Syracuse, NY
CC: The Rev. Kathryn Eden
The Very Rev. Thomas Luck, Dean
The Rev. John LaVoe
The Rev. Jennie Montgomery, Chair of the COM
The Rt. Rev. Emmanuel Kolini, Archbishop and Primate
310 Montgomery Street
Syracuse NY 13202
January 23, 2006
Dear Bishop Adams:
I am in receipt of the letter of Kathryn Eden dated January 19, 2006 in her capacity as president of the standing committee informing me that the standing committee will not be recommending me for reception into the Episcopal Church and this diocese. When I was before the standing committee on January 10, 2006, I stated that I would be willing to sign the affirmation under Canon III.11.4 to “promise in writing to submit in all things to the Discipline of this Church without recourse to any other ecclesiastical jurisdiction or foreign civil jurisdiction.” In fact, I emphatically stated that I took that promise very seriously. But apparently they did not accept me on my word, since they raise “some unresolved issues concerning the Episcopal Church and [my] connection with the Church of Rwanda.” I want to be clear: while my offer to make the promises required by Canon was very sincere and without reservation, my answers to the other questions posed to me by the Standing Committee are the result of prayerful consideration and I do not foresee my position changing at any time in the future.
As you know from the letters dimissory of Archbishop Kolini which were delivered to you a year ago this month, I am a priest in the Anglican Province of the Church of Rwanda. My parish has never understood the logic of your insistence on a Canon III.11 process for my acceptance into this diocese, since that canon applies only to priests ordained in churches in the historic succession but not in communion with this church. Because the Church of Rwanda is in communion with the Episcopal Church in the United States (at least from America’s perspective) the parish does not see the need for a Canon III.11 procedure, but we were willing to accommodate it at your request. The standing committee’s judgment that “we cannot certify you to continue in the process” puts an end to that Canon III.11 reception process.
Since you have indicated that the recommendation of the standing committee was necessary for my reception, we are apparently at the end of the line. Since you are not willing to accept me under Canon III.12 as a priest in the Church of Rwanda, we would ask that you return to the parish the letters dimissory of Archbishop Kolini.
This action indicates that the Diocese of Central New York is not in communion with the Church of Rwanda, which is an indication that Central New York is withdrawing from the worldwide Anglican Communion. Our prayers continue to be with you and the diocese as you move ahead with your decision, in the words of the Windsor Report, “to walk apart” from the Communion of the wider church. Obviously, we refuse to abandon the Anglican Communion.
If you wish to discuss this matter further, I am available to meet with you at your convenience.
Sincerely,
Robert Hackendorf,
Rector
St Andrew's, Syracuse, NY
CC: The Rev. Kathryn Eden
The Very Rev. Thomas Luck, Dean
The Rev. John LaVoe
The Rev. Jennie Montgomery, Chair of the COM
The Rt. Rev. Emmanuel Kolini, Archbishop and Primate
Saturday, January 28, 2006
From the Rector of Good Shepherd, Binghamton
Blessed Clarity
http://www.standfirminfaith.com/index.php/site/index/site/article/blessed_cl
arity/
Four nominees for the office of Presiding Bishop were announced this week.
Of the four, three voted to confirm Gene Robinson’s election as bishop of
New Hampshire in 2003. One, bishop Parsley of Alabama, voted no. But don’t
let the “no” fool you. Since then he has actively worked to silence the
orthodox voices in his diocese as anyone at Stand Firm Alabama will tell
you. He may be doctrinally “orthodox” but apparently he won’t let a small
thing like that get in the way of institutional loyalty. Hence, the
quotation marks around the word orthodox.
Nevertheless, were I a betting man, I’d put my money on bishop Parsley. The
self-described moderates and even the orthodox delegates will likely cast
their votes for him if Brad Drell’s thoughts are any indication. That
should be enough to defeat the other three who are, by all accounts, solid
revisionists.
The silver lining in all of this is clarity. Unlike say bishop Jenkins or
bishop McPherson, Bishop Parsley will not fool anyone domestically or
internationally. He may not be a revisionist personally, but he is most
definitely a known collaborator with institutionalized revisionism.
Taken together, the slate of nominees does not signal a compromising stance
with regard to the rest of the Communion. Nor does it portend the
proverbial and long expected Windsor “fudge”. If this slate is any
indication, Columbus will be a clear and defining moment where the deep
theological chasm between ECUSA and the rest of Christendom will be
revealed. I pray it is so.
Matt Kennedy+
http://www.standfirminfaith.com/index.php/site/index/site/article/blessed_cl
arity/
Four nominees for the office of Presiding Bishop were announced this week.
Of the four, three voted to confirm Gene Robinson’s election as bishop of
New Hampshire in 2003. One, bishop Parsley of Alabama, voted no. But don’t
let the “no” fool you. Since then he has actively worked to silence the
orthodox voices in his diocese as anyone at Stand Firm Alabama will tell
you. He may be doctrinally “orthodox” but apparently he won’t let a small
thing like that get in the way of institutional loyalty. Hence, the
quotation marks around the word orthodox.
Nevertheless, were I a betting man, I’d put my money on bishop Parsley. The
self-described moderates and even the orthodox delegates will likely cast
their votes for him if Brad Drell’s thoughts are any indication. That
should be enough to defeat the other three who are, by all accounts, solid
revisionists.
The silver lining in all of this is clarity. Unlike say bishop Jenkins or
bishop McPherson, Bishop Parsley will not fool anyone domestically or
internationally. He may not be a revisionist personally, but he is most
definitely a known collaborator with institutionalized revisionism.
Taken together, the slate of nominees does not signal a compromising stance
with regard to the rest of the Communion. Nor does it portend the
proverbial and long expected Windsor “fudge”. If this slate is any
indication, Columbus will be a clear and defining moment where the deep
theological chasm between ECUSA and the rest of Christendom will be
revealed. I pray it is so.
Matt Kennedy+
Monday, January 16, 2006
Wardens of St. Andrew's, Syracuse to Bishop
Dear Bishop Adams:
We have your letter of December 20, 2005 and are surprised and dismayed at the things which you write. It appears as if the position on St. Andrews Church is unclear to you. Equally troubling is the reaffirmation in your letter that your “vote to confirm New Hampshire’s election of Gene Robinson as their bishop was fully in line with the intent of Scripture.” The Anglican Communion and the Episcopal Church are on the verge of destruction over your decision to abandon the 2000 year old Christian understanding of biblical Christian morality. Make no mistake: this is not merely a disagreement about human sexuality—it is a profound divergence of the fundamental way we understand the authority of Scripture and the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Apparently the Windsor Report, the reaction of the Primates, and the resolution of the Lambeth Conference on human sexuality mean nothing to you, since you seem bound to ignore them and most of the Anglican Communion. Indeed you said as much in your letter before the Camp Allen house of bishops meeting when you said that being a part of the Anglican Communion is “not of the essence” of your understanding of being a Christian in the church. For us it is of the essence.
Perhaps the most disturbing thing which you said in your letter is your being “surprised” at our perception that you have never responded to our letter of September 8, 2003. You had no meetings with us as wardens when you visited, and there was no vestry meeting with you. Now you tell us that something written in The Messenger over the last two and a half years is your response to our letter. We wrote you directly on an issue which has split the church and has created a state of impaired and broken communion between this parish and their bishop, and got no answer--a fact which you now implicitly acknowledge. Now we discover that we were supposed to sift the old copies of The Messenger for your reply to us. On top of this you flatly told the diocesan convention that you did respond to our letter. Was this not disingenuous? Given this, is it any wonder that there is mistrust between this parish and the bishop?
We at St. Andrew’s have been straight forward with our decision to suspend payment of our assessment. We have never said we didn’t have the money to pay, rather, as stewards of the Lord’s treasure, we have certain criteria to follow in how we use it. It is not within the authority of the vestry of St Andrews church to support any mission tha t is based upon a revision of theology such as the actions of General Convention 2003 reflect.
We find your timetable for your acknowledgment of Fr. Hackendorf as our rector quite disturbing. He tells us that he has read all of the books your committee wanted him to read. When we started this process over a year ago in the Fall of 2004, you said that you would expedite the process. You received the Letters Dimissory of Archbishop Kolini almost a year ago, and have not acted on them within the 90 day period provided under canon law. Now you tell us that the six month period has not even started. Explaining your process to our congregation is at this point near impossible.
While we do not agree with your interpretation of the canons regarding Fr. Bob’s reception in your diocese, we find it unimaginable to think that, with the time you have spent with him and the 10 months you have had to review his credentials, there remains doubt in your mind that this is the man that the Lord called to head our parish. Our congregation doesn’t understand it either.
On one hand you say there is no linkage between the payment of the assessment and your acknowledging Fr. Bob as our rector, yet you then say that “our actions (or non-actions) in these areas are clearly putting Bob’s leadership capabilities in jeopardy.” Make no mistake here: Fr. Bob is our rector, and clearly the leader of this parish. Fr. Bob is not some unwilling follower of our actions in opposing the innovations of GC 2003, and is most definitely leading us in this and in all respects.
As far as the St. Matthias Society is concerned (which you and others from the diocese mention constantly), that is a lay-lead organization which was formed in 2003 in the aftermath of GC2003. It is dedicated to supporting those parts of the Anglican Communion which are faithful to the Gospel. St. Matthias Society has been very supportive of us at St. Andrew’s, but the parish does not control or influence its actions. None of our vestry serves on its board of directors, so we cannot speak for that organization. We would direct you to those who run that organization if you want more information about it.
Frankly the monies paid, or not paid, to the diocese are of far less conc ern than the general direction of the diocese and the Episcopal Church. Our diocesan convention has ignored the Windsor Report for two successive conventions. Provinces representing well over half of the World’s Anglicans have declared themselves to be in broken or impaired communion with you and the other Bishops who voted to upturn the Church’s teaching regarding human sexuality.
This issue will tear our Communion apart unless those who are breaking apart from the majority of the Anglican Primates repent and return to the “faith once delivered.”
We urge you to repudiate the actions of the previous General Convention before the Episcopal Church (USA), by her arrogant disregard for the Worldwide Communion, commits schism by walking away from the Anglican Family. We are determined not to walk away. Won’t you join us?
Our letter of September 8, 2003 stands. We will be glad to meet with you to talk about those matters, but frankly, we see little movement on your part to mend the fence which was broken by your actions over GC2003. We prayerfully await General Convention 2006 and its impact on our Anglican Communion worldwide. We will steadfastly remain a part of that portion of the Anglican Communion which is faithful to the Gospel and resists the grievous errors of GC2003.&nbs p; On this matter, Father Hackendorf, we as Wardens, the Vestry and the entire congregation at St. Andrew’s in the Valley are firmly and resolutely united.
Yours in Christ,
Mr. Peter Iannotta,
Senior Warden, St. Andrew’s in the Valley
Mr. David Moorhead,
Junior Warden, St. Andrew’s in the Valley
We have your letter of December 20, 2005 and are surprised and dismayed at the things which you write. It appears as if the position on St. Andrews Church is unclear to you. Equally troubling is the reaffirmation in your letter that your “vote to confirm New Hampshire’s election of Gene Robinson as their bishop was fully in line with the intent of Scripture.” The Anglican Communion and the Episcopal Church are on the verge of destruction over your decision to abandon the 2000 year old Christian understanding of biblical Christian morality. Make no mistake: this is not merely a disagreement about human sexuality—it is a profound divergence of the fundamental way we understand the authority of Scripture and the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Apparently the Windsor Report, the reaction of the Primates, and the resolution of the Lambeth Conference on human sexuality mean nothing to you, since you seem bound to ignore them and most of the Anglican Communion. Indeed you said as much in your letter before the Camp Allen house of bishops meeting when you said that being a part of the Anglican Communion is “not of the essence” of your understanding of being a Christian in the church. For us it is of the essence.
Perhaps the most disturbing thing which you said in your letter is your being “surprised” at our perception that you have never responded to our letter of September 8, 2003. You had no meetings with us as wardens when you visited, and there was no vestry meeting with you. Now you tell us that something written in The Messenger over the last two and a half years is your response to our letter. We wrote you directly on an issue which has split the church and has created a state of impaired and broken communion between this parish and their bishop, and got no answer--a fact which you now implicitly acknowledge. Now we discover that we were supposed to sift the old copies of The Messenger for your reply to us. On top of this you flatly told the diocesan convention that you did respond to our letter. Was this not disingenuous? Given this, is it any wonder that there is mistrust between this parish and the bishop?
We at St. Andrew’s have been straight forward with our decision to suspend payment of our assessment. We have never said we didn’t have the money to pay, rather, as stewards of the Lord’s treasure, we have certain criteria to follow in how we use it. It is not within the authority of the vestry of St Andrews church to support any mission tha t is based upon a revision of theology such as the actions of General Convention 2003 reflect.
We find your timetable for your acknowledgment of Fr. Hackendorf as our rector quite disturbing. He tells us that he has read all of the books your committee wanted him to read. When we started this process over a year ago in the Fall of 2004, you said that you would expedite the process. You received the Letters Dimissory of Archbishop Kolini almost a year ago, and have not acted on them within the 90 day period provided under canon law. Now you tell us that the six month period has not even started. Explaining your process to our congregation is at this point near impossible.
While we do not agree with your interpretation of the canons regarding Fr. Bob’s reception in your diocese, we find it unimaginable to think that, with the time you have spent with him and the 10 months you have had to review his credentials, there remains doubt in your mind that this is the man that the Lord called to head our parish. Our congregation doesn’t understand it either.
On one hand you say there is no linkage between the payment of the assessment and your acknowledging Fr. Bob as our rector, yet you then say that “our actions (or non-actions) in these areas are clearly putting Bob’s leadership capabilities in jeopardy.” Make no mistake here: Fr. Bob is our rector, and clearly the leader of this parish. Fr. Bob is not some unwilling follower of our actions in opposing the innovations of GC 2003, and is most definitely leading us in this and in all respects.
As far as the St. Matthias Society is concerned (which you and others from the diocese mention constantly), that is a lay-lead organization which was formed in 2003 in the aftermath of GC2003. It is dedicated to supporting those parts of the Anglican Communion which are faithful to the Gospel. St. Matthias Society has been very supportive of us at St. Andrew’s, but the parish does not control or influence its actions. None of our vestry serves on its board of directors, so we cannot speak for that organization. We would direct you to those who run that organization if you want more information about it.
Frankly the monies paid, or not paid, to the diocese are of far less conc ern than the general direction of the diocese and the Episcopal Church. Our diocesan convention has ignored the Windsor Report for two successive conventions. Provinces representing well over half of the World’s Anglicans have declared themselves to be in broken or impaired communion with you and the other Bishops who voted to upturn the Church’s teaching regarding human sexuality.
This issue will tear our Communion apart unless those who are breaking apart from the majority of the Anglican Primates repent and return to the “faith once delivered.”
We urge you to repudiate the actions of the previous General Convention before the Episcopal Church (USA), by her arrogant disregard for the Worldwide Communion, commits schism by walking away from the Anglican Family. We are determined not to walk away. Won’t you join us?
Our letter of September 8, 2003 stands. We will be glad to meet with you to talk about those matters, but frankly, we see little movement on your part to mend the fence which was broken by your actions over GC2003. We prayerfully await General Convention 2006 and its impact on our Anglican Communion worldwide. We will steadfastly remain a part of that portion of the Anglican Communion which is faithful to the Gospel and resists the grievous errors of GC2003.&nbs p; On this matter, Father Hackendorf, we as Wardens, the Vestry and the entire congregation at St. Andrew’s in the Valley are firmly and resolutely united.
Yours in Christ,
Mr. Peter Iannotta,
Senior Warden, St. Andrew’s in the Valley
Mr. David Moorhead,
Junior Warden, St. Andrew’s in the Valley
From the Syracuse Post-Standard
Priest sues bishop, diocese
Monday, January 16, 2006
By Renée K. Gadoua
Staff writer
A Central New York Episcopal priest is suing the local Episcopal bishop and diocese for $4.35 million, saying the bishop tried to silence his efforts to investigate alleged sexual abuse that occurred in the 1970s.
"I reported accurate information to him and I was punished for it," said the Rev. David Bollinger, rector of St. Paul's Church in Owego.
"I deny that completely," Bishop Gladstone "Skip" Adams said Sunday. "Any actions taken concerning Father Bollinger have been done completely independently."
Bollinger said he first contacted Adams in 2002 about a victim of alleged sexual abuse by a former rector at the Owego parish. He said the diocese has failed to respond.
Bollinger said he told Adams in 2003 of a second alleged victim. He said a third victim came forward last week.
Adams confirmed he learned last week of an alleged victim but has been unable to contact him. He said a diocesan investigation has not confirmed the other allegations.
"We do not have a victim," Adams said. "If and when that happens, we will move forward."
The lawsuit names the former rector as the Rev. Ralph Johnson. He is retired and lives in Pennsylvania. Adams said he is unaware of any complaints against Johnson and he does not think any legal action has been taken against him.
"He denies all wrongdoing," said Adams, spiritual leader of the 22,500-member diocese based in Syracuse.
A man who answered the phone Sunday night at Johnson's residence in Pennsylvania said the former rector was not home.
The suit also names Gael Sopchak, diocesan administrative officer, and accuses her of accessing Bollinger's personal bank account and changing his password.
Adams said an independent church investigation found that Sopchak had done no criminal wrongdoing. He said she has accepted another job in the Syracuse area; her last day with the diocese is Friday.
Bollinger also said the diocese began auditing his parish's finances in January 2005 as retaliation.
Adams said an ongoing investigation concerning Bollinger and the use of parish funds is unrelated to the investigation of alleged sexual abuse.
The lawsuit also challenges Adams' "temporary inhibition" of Bollinger. The inhibition is an Episcopal church process that means Bollinger cannot function as a priest, cannot have contact with his parishioners and cannot be on the church property.
Adams said a third, 90-day inhibition will expire at the end of February. He said he took that action because of the financial investigation involving Bollinger's parish. He also said the priest failed to comply with a pastoral directive, a confidential communication between priest and bishop. The diocese's Standing Committee has upheld Adams' inhibition of Bollinger.
The civil complaint, filed Wednesday in state Supreme Court in Tioga County on behalf of Bollinger and his wife, Kelly Bollinger, seeks:
Ö $1 million as a result of Adams' libel and slander.
Ö $1 million for the "willful, wanton and intentional conduct of the defendant."
Ö $1 million for mental anguish and emotional pain.
Ö $1 million in punitive damages.
Ö $100,000 against Sopchak and the diocese.
Ö $250,000 for loss of service and consortium.
Renee K. Gadoua can be reached at 470-2203 or rgadoua@syracuse.com.
Monday, January 16, 2006
By Renée K. Gadoua
Staff writer
A Central New York Episcopal priest is suing the local Episcopal bishop and diocese for $4.35 million, saying the bishop tried to silence his efforts to investigate alleged sexual abuse that occurred in the 1970s.
"I reported accurate information to him and I was punished for it," said the Rev. David Bollinger, rector of St. Paul's Church in Owego.
"I deny that completely," Bishop Gladstone "Skip" Adams said Sunday. "Any actions taken concerning Father Bollinger have been done completely independently."
Bollinger said he first contacted Adams in 2002 about a victim of alleged sexual abuse by a former rector at the Owego parish. He said the diocese has failed to respond.
Bollinger said he told Adams in 2003 of a second alleged victim. He said a third victim came forward last week.
Adams confirmed he learned last week of an alleged victim but has been unable to contact him. He said a diocesan investigation has not confirmed the other allegations.
"We do not have a victim," Adams said. "If and when that happens, we will move forward."
The lawsuit names the former rector as the Rev. Ralph Johnson. He is retired and lives in Pennsylvania. Adams said he is unaware of any complaints against Johnson and he does not think any legal action has been taken against him.
"He denies all wrongdoing," said Adams, spiritual leader of the 22,500-member diocese based in Syracuse.
A man who answered the phone Sunday night at Johnson's residence in Pennsylvania said the former rector was not home.
The suit also names Gael Sopchak, diocesan administrative officer, and accuses her of accessing Bollinger's personal bank account and changing his password.
Adams said an independent church investigation found that Sopchak had done no criminal wrongdoing. He said she has accepted another job in the Syracuse area; her last day with the diocese is Friday.
Bollinger also said the diocese began auditing his parish's finances in January 2005 as retaliation.
Adams said an ongoing investigation concerning Bollinger and the use of parish funds is unrelated to the investigation of alleged sexual abuse.
The lawsuit also challenges Adams' "temporary inhibition" of Bollinger. The inhibition is an Episcopal church process that means Bollinger cannot function as a priest, cannot have contact with his parishioners and cannot be on the church property.
Adams said a third, 90-day inhibition will expire at the end of February. He said he took that action because of the financial investigation involving Bollinger's parish. He also said the priest failed to comply with a pastoral directive, a confidential communication between priest and bishop. The diocese's Standing Committee has upheld Adams' inhibition of Bollinger.
The civil complaint, filed Wednesday in state Supreme Court in Tioga County on behalf of Bollinger and his wife, Kelly Bollinger, seeks:
Ö $1 million as a result of Adams' libel and slander.
Ö $1 million for the "willful, wanton and intentional conduct of the defendant."
Ö $1 million for mental anguish and emotional pain.
Ö $1 million in punitive damages.
Ö $100,000 against Sopchak and the diocese.
Ö $250,000 for loss of service and consortium.
Renee K. Gadoua can be reached at 470-2203 or rgadoua@syracuse.com.
Sunday, January 15, 2006
From Binghamton newspaper
Diocese accused of sex-abuse coverup
Suspended rector claims retaliation by bishop
By Brian Liberatore
Press & Sun-Bulletin
An Owego rector is suing the Episcopal Diocese of Central New York for $4.35 million, saying a bishop retaliated against him in an attempt to cover up sexual misconduct allegations the rector had brought to his attention.
David Bollinger, the rector of St. Paul's in Owego for more than 20 years, has been barred from his church for nearly a year by the diocese, which was served with the suit on Thursday. The diocese accused Bollinger of misusing church funds — a false accusation, Bollinger said, that has never led to charges.
"It was totally manufactured," Bollinger said. "A falsehood on their part to create a diversion away from what they had done to me and what they were doing to me."
The lawsuit, filed in Tioga County Superior Court, names Bishop Gladstone Adams, the diocese and the controller at the time, whom Bollinger claims broke into his personal bank account.
Adams did not immediately return calls Saturday seeking comment.
Bollinger said the trouble with the diocese began when a former parishioner came forward in 2002, making allegations of sexual abuse against another priest no longer in New York state.
Bollinger said he reported the abuse to the bishop but no action was taken. After more victims came forward, Bollinger said, he continued to push the diocese to pursue an investigation.
Still, he said, there has been no action taken against the alleged pedophile priest.
Adams told the Press & Sun-Bulletin in November that the alleged victim never came forward to meet a diocesan response team that investigates such allegations, nor was the committee provided with a name — a process that's a requirement for an investigation. The committee was created since 2002 in the wake of priestly misconduct in the Roman Catholic church, Adams has said.
Bollinger claims the diocese, in retaliation for his complaints, began improperly prying into his personal finances — a claim Adams has denied.
The investigations focused on accounts handled by Bollinger. The diocese conducted an audit that has not been made public.
"I did not have any hand in the financial matters of the church," Bollinger said. "I only had power over the discretionary fund. The vestry said I had done nothing wrong with the money."
Bollinger's temporary removal from the parish as rector should expire by the end of this month. Under Episcopal policy, Adams could restore Bollinger to the parish or he could have him defrocked.
Members of St. Paul's vestry — leadership chosen democratically from parishioners — said in November they supported Bollinger and that they could prove Adams' allegations to be without merit
Bollinger said the parish has suffered during his absence. In a September letter to Adams, vestry members said parish membership had dropped from about 125 before Bollinger was removed to about 70. The parish has had to pay for a priest to conduct services on Sundays.
Bollinger will be paid through February, he said, but after that there was no guarantee of income. His suspension from the church, he said, has put tremendous strain on his family. One of his three daughters is suffering from thyroid cancer.
"I haven't worked as a priest since last February," Bollinger said. "It's been very painful. They've basically ruined my life's work."
Suspended rector claims retaliation by bishop
By Brian Liberatore
Press & Sun-Bulletin
An Owego rector is suing the Episcopal Diocese of Central New York for $4.35 million, saying a bishop retaliated against him in an attempt to cover up sexual misconduct allegations the rector had brought to his attention.
David Bollinger, the rector of St. Paul's in Owego for more than 20 years, has been barred from his church for nearly a year by the diocese, which was served with the suit on Thursday. The diocese accused Bollinger of misusing church funds — a false accusation, Bollinger said, that has never led to charges.
"It was totally manufactured," Bollinger said. "A falsehood on their part to create a diversion away from what they had done to me and what they were doing to me."
The lawsuit, filed in Tioga County Superior Court, names Bishop Gladstone Adams, the diocese and the controller at the time, whom Bollinger claims broke into his personal bank account.
Adams did not immediately return calls Saturday seeking comment.
Bollinger said the trouble with the diocese began when a former parishioner came forward in 2002, making allegations of sexual abuse against another priest no longer in New York state.
Bollinger said he reported the abuse to the bishop but no action was taken. After more victims came forward, Bollinger said, he continued to push the diocese to pursue an investigation.
Still, he said, there has been no action taken against the alleged pedophile priest.
Adams told the Press & Sun-Bulletin in November that the alleged victim never came forward to meet a diocesan response team that investigates such allegations, nor was the committee provided with a name — a process that's a requirement for an investigation. The committee was created since 2002 in the wake of priestly misconduct in the Roman Catholic church, Adams has said.
Bollinger claims the diocese, in retaliation for his complaints, began improperly prying into his personal finances — a claim Adams has denied.
The investigations focused on accounts handled by Bollinger. The diocese conducted an audit that has not been made public.
"I did not have any hand in the financial matters of the church," Bollinger said. "I only had power over the discretionary fund. The vestry said I had done nothing wrong with the money."
Bollinger's temporary removal from the parish as rector should expire by the end of this month. Under Episcopal policy, Adams could restore Bollinger to the parish or he could have him defrocked.
Members of St. Paul's vestry — leadership chosen democratically from parishioners — said in November they supported Bollinger and that they could prove Adams' allegations to be without merit
Bollinger said the parish has suffered during his absence. In a September letter to Adams, vestry members said parish membership had dropped from about 125 before Bollinger was removed to about 70. The parish has had to pay for a priest to conduct services on Sundays.
Bollinger will be paid through February, he said, but after that there was no guarantee of income. His suspension from the church, he said, has put tremendous strain on his family. One of his three daughters is suffering from thyroid cancer.
"I haven't worked as a priest since last February," Bollinger said. "It's been very painful. They've basically ruined my life's work."
Friday, January 13, 2006
From The Living Church
Latest News
Inhibited Central New York Rector Files Lawsuit
01/13/2006
The inhibited rector of a parish in the Diocese of Central New York has filed a $4.35 million lawsuit against Bishop Gladstone “Skip” Adams, the diocese and Gael Sopchak, the former controller.
The Rev. David G. Bollinger, rector of St. Paul’s, Owego, N.Y., alleges that Bishop Adams and others did not respond adequately to an allegation of sexual misconduct brought by Fr. Bollinger against another priest of the diocese, and then violated various secular and ecclesiastical laws in an attempt to silence him after Fr. Bollinger persisted with the complaint. The lawsuit has been filed with Tioga County Superior Court in the state of New York.
“I always thought we had checks and balances in the Episcopal Church,” Fr. Bollinger said. “I have tried to work within the system to right an injustice and been denied due process. The bishop is trying to starve me out of the ministry. If you read the entire complaint, this is one whole piece of cloth designed to ruin me.”
On May 31, the diocese served Fr. Bollinger with a 90-day notice of inhibition. In issuing the order, Bishop Adams accused Fr. Bollinger of “possible violations of various state and federal statutes forbidding personal use of Church funds” and suggested there “may be criminal wrongdoing by [Fr. Bollinger] and others,” for defrauding the Internal Revenue Service by not reporting income defalcated from the rector’s discretionary funds and a trust fund. The inhibition was renewed Sept. 29 following a hearing. Fr. Bollinger said he has been denied an appeal of the extension of the inhibition, something to which he said he is entitled according to the canons.
Fr. Bollinger, a life-long Episcopalian whose father, the late Rev. Charles E. Bollinger, was also a priest, said the sabbatical leave granted to him by the vestry after the first inhibition was imposed is scheduled to expire Feb. 1, and since he cannot go back to work while under inhibition, he will soon be without an income. Meanwhile, weekly attendance at St. Paul’s has dwindled.
Kathleen McDaniel, executive assistant to the bishop, said the diocese has been notified that it is being sued, but could not comment on the charges, because it has not yet received a complete copy of the complaint.
Ms. McDaniel said Ms. Sopchak tendered her resignation effective Jan. 20, in order to accept another position, and that her decision to leave the employ of the diocese is “completely unrelated” to the lawsuit filed by Fr. Bollinger.
Inhibited Central New York Rector Files Lawsuit
01/13/2006
The inhibited rector of a parish in the Diocese of Central New York has filed a $4.35 million lawsuit against Bishop Gladstone “Skip” Adams, the diocese and Gael Sopchak, the former controller.
The Rev. David G. Bollinger, rector of St. Paul’s, Owego, N.Y., alleges that Bishop Adams and others did not respond adequately to an allegation of sexual misconduct brought by Fr. Bollinger against another priest of the diocese, and then violated various secular and ecclesiastical laws in an attempt to silence him after Fr. Bollinger persisted with the complaint. The lawsuit has been filed with Tioga County Superior Court in the state of New York.
“I always thought we had checks and balances in the Episcopal Church,” Fr. Bollinger said. “I have tried to work within the system to right an injustice and been denied due process. The bishop is trying to starve me out of the ministry. If you read the entire complaint, this is one whole piece of cloth designed to ruin me.”
On May 31, the diocese served Fr. Bollinger with a 90-day notice of inhibition. In issuing the order, Bishop Adams accused Fr. Bollinger of “possible violations of various state and federal statutes forbidding personal use of Church funds” and suggested there “may be criminal wrongdoing by [Fr. Bollinger] and others,” for defrauding the Internal Revenue Service by not reporting income defalcated from the rector’s discretionary funds and a trust fund. The inhibition was renewed Sept. 29 following a hearing. Fr. Bollinger said he has been denied an appeal of the extension of the inhibition, something to which he said he is entitled according to the canons.
Fr. Bollinger, a life-long Episcopalian whose father, the late Rev. Charles E. Bollinger, was also a priest, said the sabbatical leave granted to him by the vestry after the first inhibition was imposed is scheduled to expire Feb. 1, and since he cannot go back to work while under inhibition, he will soon be without an income. Meanwhile, weekly attendance at St. Paul’s has dwindled.
Kathleen McDaniel, executive assistant to the bishop, said the diocese has been notified that it is being sued, but could not comment on the charges, because it has not yet received a complete copy of the complaint.
Ms. McDaniel said Ms. Sopchak tendered her resignation effective Jan. 20, in order to accept another position, and that her decision to leave the employ of the diocese is “completely unrelated” to the lawsuit filed by Fr. Bollinger.
Lawsuit Filed Against Bishop and Diocese
A $4.35 million lawsuit has been filed in Tioga County of the State of NY against the Bishop of Central NY, Gladstone “Skip” Adams, Gael Sopchak and the Diocese of Central NY. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of the Rev. David Bollinger, rector of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Owego, NY by attorney David Gouldin of Levene, Gouldin and Thompson, a prominent law firm in Binghamton NY. Gael Sopchak has been comptroller of the Diocese of Central NY and has recently tendered her resignation.
In related news, a second victim of alleged sexual abuse by a previous rector of St. Paul’s, Owego has come forward. A deposition was taken this week and forwarded to the Diocese of Central NY.
In related news, a second victim of alleged sexual abuse by a previous rector of St. Paul’s, Owego has come forward. A deposition was taken this week and forwarded to the Diocese of Central NY.
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