At the Corporate (Financial) Synod of the Diocese of Toronto held June 16th, 2012, at St. Paul, Bloor Street, Archbishop Colin Johnson
announced that the Diocesan Council of the Diocese of Toronto had given
unanimous support to the proposal that $250,000 be sent from the
diocese’s Ministry Allocation Fund to the Diocese of New Westminster This announcement came exactly one year to the day since the Supreme Court of Canada refused to hear further appeals on the British Columbia Supreme Court decision which found that the four parish properties under dispute are to be held in trust by the Diocese of New Westminster for the ministry of the Anglican Church of Canada
In his June 11th letter to Bishop Michael Ingham, Archbishop Colin wrote. “This is a contribution to offset the costs of litigation borne by the Diocese of New Westminster in establishing the property rights of dioceses in the Anglican Church of Canada.”
Further in the letter the Archbishop wrote:
“While the gift of this grant was given unanimous support by Toronto’s Diocesan Council, it does not imply that all members have a common understanding on the issues of human sexuality that led to the legal actions. Indeed, we regret that litigation became necessary at all. But we offer this contribution in recognition of the Diocese of New Westminster’s leadership in pursuing the court’s decision that affirms the principles that undergrid our ecclesiology and governance as Anglicans.”
On June 20th, Bishop Michael responded with a letter expressing both his gratitude and the gratitude of the Diocese of New Westminster. In the letter he stated:
“This thoughtful generosity is most welcome, not only for the relief it affords us from the considerable expense of the recent litigation…but more importantly for the gift of partnership it embodies in the shared mission of our beloved Church.
It was distressing to all of us here that honest principled convictions on human sexuality could not be contained within the bonds of mutual affection that lie at the heart of Anglican polity. Our failure led to the necessity of a determination by the civil courts about the nature of ecclesiology. It is this determination, as you rightly observe, that has given every Diocese in the Anglican Church of Canada clarity and precedence that will strengthen our structures and therefore, ultimately, our capacity for mission.”
In his June 11th letter to Bishop Michael Ingham, Archbishop Colin wrote. “This is a contribution to offset the costs of litigation borne by the Diocese of New Westminster in establishing the property rights of dioceses in the Anglican Church of Canada.”
Further in the letter the Archbishop wrote:
“While the gift of this grant was given unanimous support by Toronto’s Diocesan Council, it does not imply that all members have a common understanding on the issues of human sexuality that led to the legal actions. Indeed, we regret that litigation became necessary at all. But we offer this contribution in recognition of the Diocese of New Westminster’s leadership in pursuing the court’s decision that affirms the principles that undergrid our ecclesiology and governance as Anglicans.”
On June 20th, Bishop Michael responded with a letter expressing both his gratitude and the gratitude of the Diocese of New Westminster. In the letter he stated:
“This thoughtful generosity is most welcome, not only for the relief it affords us from the considerable expense of the recent litigation…but more importantly for the gift of partnership it embodies in the shared mission of our beloved Church.
It was distressing to all of us here that honest principled convictions on human sexuality could not be contained within the bonds of mutual affection that lie at the heart of Anglican polity. Our failure led to the necessity of a determination by the civil courts about the nature of ecclesiology. It is this determination, as you rightly observe, that has given every Diocese in the Anglican Church of Canada clarity and precedence that will strengthen our structures and therefore, ultimately, our capacity for mission.”
“…Your kindness will long be remembered here. And your personal leadership has been simply outstanding.”
Image: Archbishop Colin Johnson