THE Supreme Court in Victoria, British Columbia, has ruled that a congregation that has joined the Anglican Network in Canada (ANiC) must be allowed to continue to worship in the Church of St Mary of the Incarnation.
The Bishop of British Columbia, the Rt Revd James Cowan, had supervised the changing of locks and security codes on the building on 4 April. The court order for an injunction against the Bishop and diocese was issued the following day. It had been granted, said the Bishop in a statement on Sunday, on an addition to an Agreed Joint Statement made between Mrs Hayton and Mr Hewlett (who lead the ANiC congregation) and the diocese.
“This Agreed Joint Statement (without the addition) is published on the websites of both the diocese of British Columbia and the Canadian Network,” his statement said. “The addition reads, ‘Until the process regarding the property has been resolved, or the parties agree to terminate this arrangement, the ‘Anglican Network’ congregation led by Mrs Hayton and Mr Hewlett will continue to use the building of St Mary of Incarnation, Metchosin.’”
Bishop Cowan said that the “process” referred to was the agreement to meet the Metropolitan of British Columbia & Yukon, the Most Revd Terry Buckle. “This meeting took place 15 March 2008, using the agenda set out by the Provincial Chancellor, Mr Douglas Adams QC,” his statement said.
The Bishop says that he will accede, but will make no further comment until the matter is settled by the courts.
A judge has reserved her decision in the case of three ANiC parishes in Niagara, which are seeking exclusive use of their properties. The hearing was held on 20 March, after a short-term interim decision given on 29 February in the Ontario Superior Court. |
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