You are here
Church refuses to hand over keys to diocese
11/21/2005
by Ty Chandler, WROC-TV
The Episcopal Diocese of Rochester warned All Saints Church in Irondequoit it was coming for the keys Monday morning. However, diocesan leaders were greeted by the parish's attorney. After the two groups exchanged words, diocesan leaders left empty handed.
"They're refusing to honor the diocese's request," said Philip Fileri, attorney for the Episcopal Diocese of Rochester. The diocese voted to dissolve All Saints on Saturday after it failed to pay its $16,000 assessment fee for 2005. Parish leaders said they held on to the money to honor a higher power.
"It's about the church, larger in the United State and particularly in the Diocese of Rochester just willy nilly rewriting the Bible the way they want it rewritten," said All Saints' attorney Raymond Nague.
The leadership of the parish believes the Episcopal Church violated biblical authority when it consecrated a homosexual bishop in New Hampshire. As a result of this conflict, All Saints is now the first church ever kicked out by the Episcopal Diocese of Rochester.
"We've continued worshipping here despite the conflict with the Diocese," said parishioner Horace Robinson. "It's sad. Some people have left, others have come and joined our community."
While All Saints has vowed to continue to hold services, it can no longer operate under the Episcopal Church. Parish leaders say the deed to the building is in the church's name. The Episcopal Church argues all parish property is held in trust to the diocese and since All Saints no longer exists in the eyes of the diocese, church property belongs to the diocese. Fileri said he doesn't want to pursue legal action, but it is an option.
http://www.wroctv.com/news/story.asp?id=20729&r=l
END
