The Diocese of Massachusetts took custody of St. Paul's Church, Brockton, March 13, after an order to vacate was issued by Plymouth County Superior Court Judge Charles J. Hely. The order was issued against the Rev. Thomas Morris, interim rector, the wardens and the church treasurer.

The parish was reduced to mission status during diocesan convention last November [TLC, Dec. 13] for non-payment of its assessment for three years.

The disagreement between the parish and the diocese goes back to 1994, when the diocese determined to recognize same-sex unions and to allow non-celibate homosexual persons to be ordained priests. As a result, in 1996, the parish changed its bylaws to reflect that St. Paul's was no longer a part of the Diocese of Massachusetts, but still part of the Episcopal Church. In 1997, the parish voted to become an affiliate member of the Episcopal Synod of America (ESA) and requested its episcopal oversight.

"They feel alone and under the gun," said the Rt. Rev. Edward MacBurney, retired Bishop of Quincy and an ESA member, who has provided episcopal visits to St. Paul's. "They asked ESA two years ago for assistance and support. I wanted to stand with them. I wanted to say to them 'you aren't alone, people do care'."

"None of this is about beliefs and it's not about issues," the Rev. Donald Parker, appointed by the diocese as vicar of St. Paul's, told the Boston Herald. "What this is about is this church needs a priest in good standing with the bishop and other churches of this diocese."

The Rev. Canon Edward Rodman, spokesman for the diocese, said the parish's desire to secede from the diocese was the issue. He referred to the Supreme Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts' decision, which favored the diocese when the Church of the Advent, Boston, attempted secession. The diocese took St. Paul's to court on the same grounds.

On Sunday, March 14, Fr. Morris celebrated two Eucharists outside, having turned over the keys to the building on Saturday. At the same time, Fr. Parker held sparsely attended Eucharists inside.

On March 21, about 125 members of St. Paul's attended outdoor Eucharists, 25 at 8 a.m. and about 100 at 11 a.m. Fr. Morris said the parish has made arrangements with a neighboring Seventh Day Adventist Church to use its building on Sunday mornings for the present. He said they may have the Liturgy of the Word outside St. Paul's, then process to the neighboring church for the Eucharist.

The parish is appealing the injunction, Fr. Morris said, and attorneys are collecting affidavits for the court, which were due March 28. "The court will eventually determine who owns the property," he said. The appeal may allow the parish use of the church while other issues are resolved in the courts.