Official statement from the diocese regarding St. Dunstan's

In case you're not familiar with this case the brown shirts from the DSWF recently changed the locks on this church to seize control of it. ed.

From the Episcopal Diocese of Southwest Florida

April 30, 2010

The Diocese of Southwest Florida has acted on its responsibilities by taking steps to better control the buildings, grounds and mission of one of its member congregations, St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church in Largo.

This is in response to a Sept. 13, 2009 decision by some members of the congregation, led by Ed Sellers, their former Episcopal priest, to sever their relationship with The Episcopal Church and affiliate with the Anglican Church in North America.

Since that decision, Sellers and his congregation have been allowed to continue to worship at St. Dunstan’s property, which is wholly owned by the Diocese of Southwest Florida, while Bishop Dabney Smith conferred with chancellors and the elected leadership of the diocese, including the Standing Committee and the Diocesan Council.

In March, St. Dunstan’s was designated as a supervised congregation of the diocese, under the guidance of the Congregational Development Committee and the bishop. Bishop Smith has entrusted the pastoral, spiritual and other responsibilities of St. Dunstan’s to the Rev. Norman Howard as St. Dunstan’s priest-in-charge.

Unfortunately, the ANCA congregation has attempted to restrict the Episcopal congregation’s access to its property and worship space. While the diocese has no desire to intensify the situation, it recognizes its canonical responsibility to the wider Church.

The diocese also wishes to assure parents of children enrolled in the church’s preschool, St. Dunstan’s Learning Center, that the school has been unaffected by these events.

The Diocese of Southwest Florida recognizes these actions come not only after many conversations, but also in the wake of profound conflict. It is the hope that St. Dunstan’s will be able to carry on its regular ministry in peace and without harassment. Bishop Smith hopes and expects that other reasonable people will be able to continue in gracious conversation.