Beyond the Conflict

Check out Sandi Dolbee's story in today's San Diego Union-Tribune on the churches in the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego that have left, been reconfigured, etc. because of what is happening on the national and local level.

For me, the most interesting part doesn't come until the end, and shows that the churches in the area are definitely not "beyond the conflict"!

The Episcopal Church is the U.S. branch of the global Anglican body, and the Americans have irked some of the other branches over such decisions as ordaining an openly gay bishop in New Hampshire. Dozens of U.S. churches have split up, with some conservatives leaving the Episcopal denomination and seeking realignment with like-minded Anglican leadership.

The San Diego diocese has been particularly hit hard. Nine of its approximately 50 congregations were affected. In three cases, the breakaway congregations and priests stayed in the buildings, realigning with Anglican provinces in Uganda, Argentina and Bolivia.

On Monday, the diocese filed a lawsuit in San Diego County Superior Court to get custody of those three churches – St. Anne's in Oceanside, Holy Trinity in Ocean Beach and St. John's in Fallbrook. In the suit, the diocese argues that the congregations violated canon rules, which say all church property is held “in trust” for the local diocese.

An earlier lawsuit filed by the diocese last year against St. John's in Fallbrook was unsuccessful, but a spokesman said this new action argues a different legal point.

All boldface is mine.