CONNECTICUT: Bishop invites remaining Episcopalians at Bristol parish to discuss future
Episcopal News Service. July 17, 2007 [071707-04]
Mary Frances Schjonberg
Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut Bishop Andrew Smith has written to the members of Trinity Episcopal Church, Bristol, inviting all who wish to continue as Episcopalians to meet with him to discuss the situation, meet a priest-in-charge for Trinity, and begin to identify new leadership.
Some members of Trinity, including its rector, the Rev. Donald Helmandollar, voted to align themselves with the Convocation of Anglicans in North America (CANA). CANA is an initiative of the Anglican Church of Nigeria.
Smith first learned of the vote through an Internet posting, phoned Helmandollar and later received a letter dated May 27 stating that "he and the parish" had formally aligned with CANA, according to a press statement posted July 17 on the diocese's website.
Smith brought the matter to the clergy members of the Standing Committee and, with their advice and consent, released Helmandollar from the responsibilities and privileges of a priest in The Episcopal Church under Title III, Canon 9.8 of the Canons and Constitution of The Episcopal Church, the statement said.
After confirming that the wardens and vestry of Trinity had also voted to align with CANA, Smith removed them from their positions under Title I, Canon 17.8 of the canons.
Smith asked the CANA group at Trinity to vacate the buildings and surrender control of the assets by July 8. Through an attorney, the CANA group has stated that there will be no compliance and has further announced an intention to bring trespass charges against any diocesan personnel who help recover possession of parish property for the use of loyal Episcopalians, the diocesan statement said. The diocese has turned the task of recovering the parish property over to its attorneys.
Helmandollar told the New York Times that he was confident that parishioners would persevere even if they lost the right to the church, rectory and burial grounds.
Smith, in his July 12 letter, wrote that "Trinity Episcopal Church has a long and solid history as a parish of this Diocese."
"Its founders and members over the generations have built the parish within the family and tradition of The Episcopal Church. I truly regret that some members have seen fit to try to tear the congregation from the fabric of the Church and now lay claim to its property and assets.
"Please know that regardless of what may have been said by others, a parish in The Episcopal Church is a constituent member of the Diocese of which it is part. That is a matter of Canon law, and in Connecticut it also is a matter that has been determined by the civil courts. Trinity Episcopal Church, Bristol, is and remains a parish of the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut.
"... Please do pray for the whole Church of God in these times. I am praying for all the members of Trinity Episcopal Church. My hope is that we may pray, reason and work together to serve Christ in our day, as a blessing to God and a clear witness to Christ's redeeming love in this world."
A Washington, D.C.-based organization, the Anglican Heritage Foundation, apparently in its first action as an organization, is soliciting money for a defense fund for the breakaway members of Trinity. It is offering a "Trinity Commemorative Brick" for a $125 donation.
Sarah Dylan Breuer notes on her web blog that the foundation's board of directors is the same as that of the Washington, D.C. chapter of American Anglican Council. Both organizations share many of the same trustees, as well. The foundation's address, listed on its home page as 611 Pennsylvania Ave., SE, #1400, Washington, D.C. 2003-4303, is actually a mailbox at UPS Store #2092.