Since the fasting and prayer on Saturday on behalf of the Church of the Good Shepherd I have been thinking about charitable ways that the DCNY could respond to CGS. I remember in early conversations with Bishop Adams his stated interest of doing something in the DCNY that would be a good example to the rest of pecusa. Frankly, thus far I haven't seen anything from the DCNY that is either a good example or any different from the litigious practices of most of the pecusa dioceses toward parishes that depart pecusa.
Given that CGS has a vital ministry to the poor in the neighborhood, what would most glorify Jesus Christ with regards to diocesan treatment of CGS? Would kicking CGS out of their building, closing the premises and putting the church building up for sale be most glorifying to Christ? I would not think so given what Jesus has to say in Matthew 25 about serving the poor.
Why couldn't the diocese continue to maintain their legal position that they own the property and allow CGS to continue there indefinitely or for a specified time period? This would give the DCNY good press, it would set a good example for pecusa, and the poor would continue to be served. There could certainly be stipulations about building maintenance, payment of bills associated to the building and other terms that would be agreeable to the DCNY and CGS. Why not?
Christians suing other Christians is a terrible witness as well as being contrary to the teachings of Christ. Given that the DCNY has already gotten rid of two parishes, has two churches and two parish halls already on the market, why not try something completely different?
1 comment:
It's really quite simple why DCNY *won't* do it - - it makes sense, and demonstrates a type of charity apparently forgotten by the incumbent. How sad.
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