On Sunday, August 29th at 8am in the Parish Hall of St. Matthew's Abbotsford there will be a service of Holy Communion celebrated by the Reverend David Price, a priest licensed by Bishop Michael Ingham.
On June 11th, 2010 counsel for the Diocese of New Westminster appeared before Justice Stephen Kelleher of the BC Supreme Court in the case concerning church properties seeking an Order as to costs arising from the Judgment granted November 25, 2009, as well as further Directions as to compliance by the trustees of the Parish Corporations with the Orders granted at that time.
St. Matthew's Abbotsford is one of the contested church properties.
The Plaintiffs (Trustees) have appealed that earlier decision and this will be argued in the BC Court of Appeal commencing September 13, 2010.
In supplementary Oral Reasons for Judgment issued on June 29, 2010, Justice Kelleher awarded costs to the Diocese of New Westminster (the Defendants) and upheld the directions sought by the Diocese. In doing so, Justice Kelleher reiterated that trustees are required to exercise their powers in accordance with the Diocesan Constitution and Canons. This means that, pending the election of new trustees, the trustees at St. Matthew’s Abbotsford must respond to the Defendants’ request to hold one service per week celebrated by a priest chosen by the Bishop of the Diocese of New Westminster.
In supplementary Oral Reasons for Judgment issued on June 29, 2010, Justice Kelleher awarded costs to the Diocese of New Westminster (the Defendants) and upheld the directions sought by the Diocese. In doing so, Justice Kelleher reiterated that trustees are required to exercise their powers in accordance with the Diocesan Constitution and Canons. This means that, pending the election of new trustees, the trustees at St. Matthew’s Abbotsford must respond to the Defendants’ request to hold one service per week celebrated by a priest chosen by the Bishop of the Diocese of New Westminster.
In mid-July, 2010 Bishop Michael Ingham and Officers of the Diocese of New Westminster stated their intention to offer Anglican Church of Canada worship at St. Matthew's Abbotsford beginning August 29th, 2010 and informed the Counsel for the Plaintiffs (specifically the ANiC clergy and trustees of St. Matthew's Abbotsford).
In response they applied for a "Stay of Execution" of Justice Kelleher's June 29th, 2010 direction and a hearing was scheduled to take place in front of the Chief Justice, Friday, August 27th.
Early in the week of August 22nd Counsel for the Diocese sent a letter to Counsel for the Plaintiffs suggesting that the diocesan service take place in the Parish Hall of St. Matthew’s Abbotsford and not in the sanctuary.
On August 26th Counsel for the Plaintiffs advised the registry that they are not proceeding and that the application for the "stay" is adjourned generally.
The Diocese of New Westminster, Anglican Church of Canada worship service will take place as scheduled Sunday, August 29th in the Parish Hall of St. Matthew's Abbotsford.