Church

Pressure on US Episcopal Church to Reveal Litigation Costs

Over 5,000 people have signed a petition demanding The Episcopal Church (TEC) in the USA reveals how much money it has spent since 2004 on litigation against individuals and parishes.

Over 5,000 people have signed a petition demanding The Episcopal Church (TEC) in the USA reveals how much money it has spent since 2004 on litigation against individuals and parishes.

The online petition, sponsored by the American Anglican Council (AAC), was signed by 3,583 Episcopalians and 1,747 Non-Episcopal Anglicans.

The Rev Canon David C Anderson, President and CEO of the AAC said, “This petition represents a cry from thousands of current and former members of the Episcopal Church.”

The petition is just one way concerned Christians are speaking out against TEC and its continued lawsuits against former parishes, priests and members.

Earlier this month, five retired Episcopal bishops sent a second letter to the Executive Council calling for financial transparency. The letter said, “This contentious issue is not something to be ignored in hopes that it will dissipate or be forgotten. Because you have not pulled the veil from this issue, conjecture as to where the money is coming from is almost limitless.”

The conjectures as to the source of the funds arise from several facts of recent Episcopal Church history.

According to Bishop Stacy Sauls of Lexington, Kentucky and the Episcopal News Service, the Church Pension Group has contributed $25,000 to the litigation fund against individuals and parishes.

A Washington Times report quoted TEC spokesperson Robert Williams as saying the Church's 2007 budget included over a million dollars for legal fees.

In 1996, the treasurer of the national Episcopal Church, Ellen F Cooke, pleaded guilty to the embezzlement of US$2.2 million and was subsequently imprisoned.

"The Episcopal Church has spent millions of dollars suing Christians," said Canon Anderson. "When people gave their hard-earned money to the Episcopal Church, they were giving it to God. Unfortunately, it appears like the Episcopal Church has other designs for that money."

Added: Thursday, October 4, 2007, 18:38 (BST)

Fun with math! 2.4M members of TEC; 1% would be 24,000. Bishop Duncan of ACN, CCP, etc. says "tens of thousands are looking to leave TEC...", which supports the 1% figure. Also, in the Diocese of Texas (where I belong) one parish has left the diocese and one is making noises that it might. Both churches are suffering huge losses in membership (due to lack of focus on the true mission of the church, perhaps?). So, in my neck of the woods, the number is much lower than 1% (closer to .1%). Bottom line: if you want to leave the Episcopal Church, leave. Trust that God will bless you in your efforts and step out in faith. Wanting to take TEC property with you shows your lack of faith. Steve

Steve Gallington, La Porte, Texas

Added: Tuesday, September 11, 2007, 23:01 (BST)

Steve boy, that gulf air has bamboozeled your brain.

Gene, GRANBURY TX

Added: Tuesday, September 11, 2007, 21:49 (BST)

Steve, It only goes to show ... if you tell a lie often enough, people might actually start to believe it. As you know, these congregations payed for their property and their facilities out of their own financial gifts. Some of them predate the forming of ECUSA. Indeed, some where part of that formation. That TEC would attempt, years later, to pass legislation that would retroactively proclaim property as their own is the REAL theft going on here. And as for total numbers ... keep telling yourself it's only a few people leaving TEC ... it's only a few ... Brian

Brian, Columbia, MD

Added: Tuesday, September 11, 2007, 21:32 (BST)

The people of a parish buy, finance and maintain a church building, but it is stealing to continue in that property? Thankfully, where neutral principles of law are in force the people that bought and maintain a church building get to keep it.

Tony Seel, Vestal, NY

Added: Tuesday, September 11, 2007, 14:12 (BST)

Approx. 250 Churches have left TEC since 2003 - 3 churches have left in the past two weeks. Thats more than 1% Steve-o

Robert, USA

Added: Monday, September 10, 2007, 17:20 (BST)

Mr. Anderson is using this petition as a device to further his efforts to steal Episcopal church property and create a buzz over the less than 1% of the church body that has left the Episcopal Church. If he disagrees with our mission and work, he is free to leave. We cannot allow him to steal stuff on the way out, however. Thanks, Steve

Steve Gallington, La Porte Texas USA

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