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Loading ...Calif church gives up property after diocese split
10.13.2009 10:05am EDT
(Los Angeles) A conservative Los Angeles-area church that broke away from the Episcopal Church over theological differences and the consecration of a gay bishop is giving up its property.
St. Luke’s Anglican Church in La Crescenta is being returned Monday to the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles. A judge ordered the move, and the state Supreme Court refused to hear an appeal.The congregation voted to leave the national church three years ago. The diocese sued to retain the property.
In his sermon Sunday, the Rev. Rob Holman said fighting for principles is more important than a building.
The congregation has rented a chapel in Glendale and joined the new Anglican Church in North America, which was founded last year by breakaway Episcopal parishes.
I can understand why those opposed to LGBT equality want to leave churches that are open, affirming and welcoming. However, there are plenty of closed, unaffirming and unwelcoming denominations that exist already. By splitting denominations rather than going to churches already expressing their negative points of view, opponents of equality also seem to be intent on causing great harm to Christianity by promoting division and anger. This leaves to me to ask if they are really Christian or just homophobic. I am inclined to think it is the latter and using the name of Christianity only provides a way they can do even more harm.
It’s time for them to learn about the true teaching of Jesus Christ, instead of pushing hates in their teachings. God is Love.
The breakaway congregation is not giving up its property, it is giving up its claim on the Diocese’s property.
IMHO, I say good riddance.
Don’t let the door hit you, where the good lord split you!
Bob Holman and his splinter, hateful, malicious group of Gay haters are a dangerous, narrow-minded bunch. I have lived in La Crescenta CA for over 22 years and know some of the hatemongers who split away. I wonder what has happened to ‘their’ Jesus saying “Love Thy Neighbor As Thyself.”
This will apply to all these scenes in the state of CA.
And the building can be used as an Episcopal church for all the good Catholic people – there are so many of them – who recognize the basic human rights of gay people to be treated equally under the law.
And who I urge to leave the Catholic church and join the Episcopal church – so similar in many ways, but so advanced re basic human rights over the Church of Rome.
And by doing this, you all will make a clear statement to the church – via the lack of contributions.
And maybe wake up the people to the story earlier this year on AP – “insiders in the hierarchy say the Papacy of Pope Benedict is being a disaster.
With which my Jewish friends agree – not just re gay people, but eg un -excommunicating a Bishop Williamson to bring his 600,000 person flock back into the church.
He has said that the Holocaust of the Jews was a hoax, or that only about 1/10 of the number of Jews murdered were actually taken to the death camps, etc.
Ignoring all the data that says eg that of the 3 million Jews in Poland before WWII, only 3000 survived, many hidden by Good Catholics at the risk of their own lives.
And the Pope says he had no knowledge of Williamson’s statements. With the resources of the church world wide? – give me a break.
I hate to say this (no I secretly don’t), but it looks good on them. Let them go peddle their hate somewhere else! Maybe they can share living quarters and shack up with the likes of Fred Phelps and the Westboro Traveling Hate Show. That should cut some of their expenses towards saving up for that new building of evil!
This church is in my neighborhood. It would make a wonderful antique shop or art gallery.
The precedent that’s been established is that the breakaway churches have NO claim to ANY existing property or assets. They have to start from scratch. Next step might be whether or not any of the breakaway churches are allowed to call themselves “Episcopal.” Like trademark infringement. Wonder if the Episcopals have considered copyrighting their name and its variants, just to confirm the split…
Good riddance to bad rubbish.
If principles were more important than a building they would have walked out and left it without taking it to the CA Supreme Court.