CNY: Episcopal Diocese sues former parish again

Via TitusOneNine:

Updated: 03/20/2009 06:04 PM

By: Karen Lee

BINGHAMTON, N.Y. -- Back in 2003, the Episcopal Diocese of Central New York consecrated a gay bishop and allowed others to perform same-sex blessings.

The Church of the Good Shepherd in Binghamton, an Episcopal parish at the time, disagreed with this move and severed ties. Last year, the Diocese sued for Good Shepherd to leave the church building on Conklin Avenue, and in December, a state Supreme Court judge ruled in their favor.

On Friday, both sides were back in court.

"We've kind of moved on as a congregation and this is almost looking backwards now. So we were dreading it but here it is," said Father Matthew Kennedy, Good Shepherd's head pastor.

This time, the feud centers around a will by former Good Shepherd member Robert Brannan. He died in 1986 and left behind money in a trust fund for his parish.

Episcopal Diocese sues former parish again
Despite breaking off ties with each other years ago, there's still unfinished business between the Episcopal Diocese of Central New York and a former parish in Binghamton. Both sides were back in court on Friday. Our Karen Lee explains what this latest litigation is about.

"He left it to Church of the Good Shepherd, he left it by name. Even if they changed their name, even if they merged with another church, he wanted them to get it," said Raymond Dague, Good Shepherd's attorney.

Brannon's will stated the only way Good Shepherd wouldn't get the money is if they ceased to exist. In that case, the Christ Episcopal Church in Binghamton, would receive the money.

"The position of the Diocese is that Good Shepherd no longer exists as an Episcopal Church and therefore, the alternative gift in that will to Christ Church should be affirmed by the court," said Jonathan Fellows, the Episcopal Diocese's attorney.

Neither the Diocese nor the church has yet to see the undisclosed amount of money as Brannan's will states that the funds will be released when a close friend of his passes away.

"Whether we lose this or not, we trust God to take care of us," said Kennedy.

A judge will issue his written decision within the next few weeks. The Episcopal Diocese also claims members of Good Shepherd wrongfully removed property, when they moved out of the Conklin Avenue building.