Syracuse Congregation, Bishop Reach Separation Terms

09/05/2007

From The Living Church:

The congregation of the Free Church of St. Andrew’s in the Valley, Syracuse, N.Y., will not “invite or permit” any Anglican bishop to perform any episcopal functions at its regular place of worship for at least the next six months after reaching a court-approved settlement Aug. 28 with the Diocese of Central New York.

The agreement permits the former Episcopal congregation to continue worshiping in its current building without charge while the parish leadership attempts to locate another worship site. The lease may be extended on a month-to-month basis at the court’s discretion for an additional six months if the congregation is unsuccessful finding another location after making a good-faith effort. Under terms of the agreement approved by state Supreme Court Justice James Murphy, the congregation of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church will be dissolved once a new location is obtained.

“We are satisfied with the terms,” the Rev. Robert Hackendorf, rector, told a reporter from The Living Church. “We never wanted this to be decided by a court and this facility is no longer adequate to our needs anyway.”

In July 2006 the diocese sued the leadership of St. Andrew’s after it declared itself under the spiritual authority of the Archbishop of Rwanda and called Fr. Hackendorf, who was not licensed to officiate, as rector.

Within the next 30 days, the parish must convey legal title to the church property to the diocese. During the period in which the lease is in effect, the parish “shall not alter the physical appearance of the property, including existing Episcopal signs and symbols, except as may be necessary to perform reasonable and ordinary maintenance on the property.”

At the conclusion of the lease, the congregation will vacate the property and Fr. Hackendorf will vacate the rectory. The Episcopal congregation will be dissolved and a new Anglican congregation, either a religious corporation or an unincorporated association, “will succeed to all the rights and obligations of Defendant St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church under this Stipulation and Order.”

Cash, other liquid financial assets, and tangible assets not specifically claimed in the settlement by the diocese will accrue to the new congregation it provides the diocese with “financial information equivalent to that which is contained in parochial reports previously submitted to the Diocese,” according to the court order.

Parish financial assets are less than $50,000, according to an affidavit filed by the parish. In addition to the church building and rectory, which were recently assessed at approximately $250,000, the diocese said it wants to retain the altar and organ. An exception is made for gifts and bequests which were specifically designated for St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church. These will be resolved by the court having jurisdiction over the estate.

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