Connecticut: Bishop Seabury Anglican Church Heads to US Supreme Court
[Ed. Note: Christ Church, Savannah withdrew their petition to the U.S. Supreme Court last month after striking a deal with the Diocese of Georgia that allowed them to keep the majority of their financial assets. This new petition by Bishop Seabury in Groton Connecticut is the only Episcopal Church petition currently under review by the Supreme Court. Timberridge Presbyterian (PCUSA) outside of Atlanta is still pending review. Both property issues are similar in fact and could be joined by others if the Supreme Court delays approval. Other cases (Los Angeles, Virginia, Fort Worth) are wending their way through state appeals process and could be ready to join Bishop Seabury in one year. Cheryl M. Wetzel]
By David W. Virtue
www.virtueonline.org
June 4, 2012
In the Diocese of Connecticut’s effort to seize the property and assets of Bishop Seabury Anglican Church, (BSAC) the parish is appealing its case to the US Supreme Court.
It is the diocese’s contention that a canon law, whose passage cannot even be proven and whose tenets are illegal, allows them to seize all of Bishop Seabury’s assets, to which neither the diocese nor the national church have ever contributed. BSAC has been an independent parish since its founding in 1873, first as a parish of the Church of England, before the Episcopal Church existed. BSAC became an Episcopal parish in 1956.
“We hold all property deeds, accounts, and assets under the name of Bishop Seabury Church. It is our contention that we should continue to own and occupy our property, which we believe in all good faith is the rightful home of BSAC,” says rector Fr. Ron Gauss.
“The Connecticut Supreme Court ruled against us. We have now appealed to the US Supreme Court. God has generously provided the funds we need in order to defend ourselves in this frivolous and ridiculous lawsuit. Soon, the Supreme Court will review our case and decide if they want to hear it. It is now a matter of separation of church and state.”
The church is asking faithful Anglicans across the US, Canada and around the world to pray that the US Supreme Court will hear the case thereby giving them their day in court, which they have never had. “Pray for wisdom, fairness, and discernment for the Justices.”
By David W. Virtue
www.virtueonline.org
June 4, 2012
In the Diocese of Connecticut’s effort to seize the property and assets of Bishop Seabury Anglican Church, (BSAC) the parish is appealing its case to the US Supreme Court.
It is the diocese’s contention that a canon law, whose passage cannot even be proven and whose tenets are illegal, allows them to seize all of Bishop Seabury’s assets, to which neither the diocese nor the national church have ever contributed. BSAC has been an independent parish since its founding in 1873, first as a parish of the Church of England, before the Episcopal Church existed. BSAC became an Episcopal parish in 1956.
“We hold all property deeds, accounts, and assets under the name of Bishop Seabury Church. It is our contention that we should continue to own and occupy our property, which we believe in all good faith is the rightful home of BSAC,” says rector Fr. Ron Gauss.
“The Connecticut Supreme Court ruled against us. We have now appealed to the US Supreme Court. God has generously provided the funds we need in order to defend ourselves in this frivolous and ridiculous lawsuit. Soon, the Supreme Court will review our case and decide if they want to hear it. It is now a matter of separation of church and state.”
The church is asking faithful Anglicans across the US, Canada and around the world to pray that the US Supreme Court will hear the case thereby giving them their day in court, which they have never had. “Pray for wisdom, fairness, and discernment for the Justices.”
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