Court rules for Canadian diocese
The Anglican Church of Canada has released this statement:
A Superior Court judgment released yesterday has ordered three parishes in the diocese of Niagara that voted earlier this year to affiliate themselves with the Province of the Southern Cone to share the use of their property with the diocese.The judgment, by Madam Justice Jane Milanetti, supported the position advanced by the diocese at a previous hearing. The dissident parishes - St. George's Lowville, St. Hilda's Oakville and the Church of the Good Shepherd St. Catharines were seeking exclusive use of parish properties.
In her decision, Madam Justice Milanetti ruled that the title of two of the three parishes clearly rests with the diocese and that the third probably does as well.
She said that the position advanced by the diocese that parish facilities be shared seemed logical to her.
Madam Justice Milanetti also awarded legal costs to the diocese of Niagara.
Text of the judgment [PDF] is here.
News release by the diocese of Niagara [PDF] is here.
The Globe and Mail reports here.
The breakaway parishes are considering an appeal.
Both sides might be forced to deal with each other as Christian brothers and sistersL Forced to forgive each other daily before offering their gifts at the altar.
It's wonderful that the Church of Canada suggested this sharing in the first place. I wish we might come up with such a gesture.
Way to go Canada!
Posted by Huw Richardson![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/nav-commenters.gif)
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May 6, 2008 7:09 PM