New West gets contested properties
Parishes opposed to same-sex blessings move to new
space
MARITES N. SISON
STAFF WRITER 
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congregations, which left the diocese of New
Westminster following disagreements over same-sex
blessings in 2002, have vacated the church buildings
they used to occupy to avoid a long and costly
litigation.
      Diocesan officials took possession of St.
Simon’s, Deep Cove, in North Vancouver, and St.
Andrew’s, Pender Harbour, on May 31. 
      “The premises were delivered in good, clean
condition,” said Neale Adams, diocesan spokesperson. 
      Last March, George Cadman, diocesan chief legal
officer, had served legal notices to the parishes
through their lawyer, Bob Kuhn, asking them to
“deliver up possession” of the buildings by April 1 or
be faced with court proceedings. The diocese has
maintained that the church buildings “historically”
belong to the Anglican Church of Canada for its
ministry in New Westminster.
      The congregations said, however, that not only
do they hold the title deed to the properties but they
also have “beneficial ownership” of them since they
had bought, paid for, and maintained the buildings. 
      “It was like walking through the grief of Good
Friday, being unjustly mistreated and abused,” said
Rev. Ed Hird, former rector of St. Simon’s, in a
statement. Members of his congregation decided during
Holy Week to evacuate the 55-year-old building by May
31, and move subsequent services to Lions Gate
Christian Academy, in Maple Wood. “But the miracle is
that when we voted in unity to move forward, there was
a tremendous sense of joy and freedom released.” 
      The congregation was not prepared for a
drawn-out legal battle because of the prohibitive
cost, said Mr. Hird. “Our former diocese has very deep
pockets. With the B.C. Supreme Court cost being
$10,000 a day, we decided that this would not be a
good use of our resources,” he said. “We would rather
focus on telling people about the love of Jesus.” 
      Diocesan bishop Michael Ingham said earlier that
Mr. Hird and Mr. Mayo had already “abandoned” their
ministry and had formed “privately incorporated
societies.” The two priests and members of their
parishes were among those who walked out of a diocesan
synod after it voted to allow same-sex blessings in
2002. They later formed a group called the Anglican
Communion in Canada (ACiC), and sought oversight from
other primates (senior bishops) of the Anglican
Communion.
      Bishop Ingham added that, “There will no doubt
be accusations of persecution and victimization
leveled against the diocese for these actions.” But he
urged members of his diocese to remember that, “No
priest or lay person has been asked to act against
their conscience in matters of faith, that all
attempts at reconciliation by the diocese have been
repudiated, and that the clergy and laity involved
have voluntarily withdrawn themselves from the
Anglican Church of Canada.”
      New services are now scheduled at St. Andrew’s
and officiants include Rev. Mark Lemon, regional dean
for Capilano-Kingcome and Archdeacon Dennis Popple,
said Mr. Adams. Rev. Sarah Tweedale, regional dean for
North Vancouver, is priest-in-charge of St. Simon’s.  
  
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