Earlier this month, a judge issued a tentative decision giving all properties and money to the Episcopal bishop and diocese. In a letter posted on the Anglican diocese’s website, Bishop Eric Menees wrote, “I understand that this news and its potential implications may produce feelings of concern or even fear for you. However, I urge each one of you to trust in the Lord. He will never leave us nor forsake us, and no matter the fate of our buildings, we will be victorious in him!”

Menees will hold an informational meeting for “all clergy and lay leaders who would like to meet to talk about these things” at 4 p.m. May 25 at St. James Anglican Cathedral, 4147 E. Dakota Ave., Fresno.
Meanwhile, Rice said he will hold future meetings for his Episcopal parishioners in the various geographic areas of the diocese, which stretches from Stockton to Bakersfield, to “see what’s in people’s hearts and consult them as to what we will do from here, so when decisions are made, they are as inclusive as possible.”

He acknowledged that the Episcopal diocese owes a great deal of money to the national church, which has underwritten part of the diocesan yearly budgets to cover operating and legal expenses. How that will be repaid has yet to be determined, he said.

Because the ruling is still tentative and no discussions have yet occurred with parishioners, Rice didn’t want to comment on the possible future sale of some of the returned property. He did, however, say that if a parish property were to be sold, he wouldn’t rule out selling it to the Anglican congregations that will be relinquishing possession of it, if the national church would approve such a sale.
In the past, Episcopal Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori has expressed her opposition to that possibility.

Mainly, Rice said, “the thing we have to remember about what they (parishioners on both sides) have lived through and what I’ve inherited is that there are no winners. What we have to work through is how we move on. The task is not about buildings, but how we’re going to serve in this place called San Joaquin. There are so many needs here.”

Rice called himself a “missional bishop” who wants to focus on ways his parishioners can improve their communities.

“I’m meeting with all of the mayors in our diocese. That’s part of what I do,” he said. “The reason is that I and the Episcopal Church need to know what’s going on in our communities, with a view on exploring how we can work together.”

Since he wasn’t even in the country or part of the Episcopal Church when the theologically conservative Anglicans broke away, Rice said: “I would not pretend to understand what caused the split. The (divisions) were probably deeper than what people even talked about. What I do sense is there’s been great pain, great sadness, great hurt. Those are the things I hope can be reconciled.”

He said he hadn’t yet talked with Menees since his arrival in March.

Challenge possible

The Anglican bishop, who like Rice inherited the diocesan leadership after the split, said he and his legal team will no doubt challenge at least part of the tentative ruling. But Menees said he would accept the final decision gracefully.

“I’ve said all along that I came with my eyes wide open, not sure which way the courts would go,” he said. “We will be victorious one way or another, with our buildings or without. I truly believe that.
“Trinity Bakersfield is in a stronger position than when they lost their property. Their attendance is higher. I suspect this will be true here, as well. We’ll be stronger than we were before.”

He said he will remain as the Anglican bishop. The diocese, along with hundreds of other parishes in the United States and Canada, are under the umbrella of the Anglican Church in North America. Much of the worldwide Anglican Communion already has recognized the organization, although the international leader of the church, the archbishop of Canterbury, has not, he said.

“This (ruling) is over material possessions, but if this goes through, we’ll stay together and we’ll look forward to places where we can worship Christ and shine the good news of Jesus Christ throughout the San Joaquin Valley,” he said.

Because its assets were frozen, the diocese had to cut back on office staff and other budget matters but has managed to operate in the black for the past three years since he came on board, Menees said. They also had to pay for about $500,000 in legal fees during that time, and “perhaps $1 million” overall.
When asked if it was worth the time and money if the result is to lose all properties and funds, Menees didn’t hesitate.

“Yes, in this sense,” he said. “Had we been able to work out a negotiated settlement that would have been so great. But I think we had the responsibility for the people who built these places to defend them to the best of our ability – to preach the gospel of Christ and use the platforms that these people’s parents and grandparents labored to build.”

As to whether the diocese will appeal the ruling, he said, “We’ll be praying and fasting, asking for the Lord’s direction.”

For the moment, he said, “I look to what’s happened across the country, all these different parishes and congregations who have had to leave former properties and start brand new. I take great comfort that I’m part of a movement of orthodox Christians who are sharing the gospel of Christ.”

Until the ruling is made permanent and subsequent decisions have been made about a possible appeal, Menees said there is no timeline in place regarding the handover of properties.

“That’s something I’ll have to discuss with the Episcopal Church,” he said. “We’ll have to talk to their bishop. I have every expectation that that will be a smooth and orderly transfer.”

Timeline of local Episcopal-Anglican split

Dec. 2006: Diocese of San Joaquin representatives vote overwhelmingly to amend constitution for possible break from national church

Dec. 2007: Diocese becomes first in country to leave the Episcopal Church; about seven of the 47 parishes remain Episcopal

March 2008: National bishops oust the Rev. John-David Schofield, San Joaquin diocese bishop; new Episcopal bishop, the Rev. Jerry Lamb, is appointed

April 2008: Lamb sues Schofield for return of all property and finances (not including 10 independently incorporated parishes)

May 2009: Episcopal Church deposes 61 priests who followed Schofield; priests retain clergy status under Anglican groups

July 2009: St. Paul’s congregation, which voted for split, voluntarily leaves Modesto church property to Episcopal diocese; the independently incorporated parish begins new church called Wellspring Anglican

Feb. 2010: Episcopal diocese sues first independently incorporated parish, St. Francis in Turlock. Later that year, it files suits against eight other similar parishes, including the historic Red Church (St. James) in Sonora.

March 2011: New Episcopal bishop, the Rev. Chester Talton, is installed. He said the diocese, which owes several hundred thousand dollars to the national church, would use recovered properties and assets to repay the money.

Nov. 2011: Anglican diocese installs the Rev. Eric Menees

2013: St. Francis in Turlock and St. James in Sonora are returned to Episcopal diocese; other similar parishes elsewhere are returned

Feb. 2014: Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin installs the Rev. David Rice as bishop, to succeed Talton

May 2014: Judge issues tentative decision that awards all properties and money to the Episcopal bishop and diocese; can be amended within a 45- to 60-day window before it becomes permanent

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