All Saints, Rochester, on its possible “extinction”
Press Release:
November 15, 2005
All Saints Protestant Episcopal Church
759 Winona Blvd.
Rochester, New York 14617
Bishop and Diocesan Leaders seek to declare our parish “extinct”
The Bishop of Rochester, the Rt. Rev. Jack M. McKelvey, and the members of Diocesan Council in the Episcopal Diocese of Rochester have called for the involuntary dissolution of a parish in their diocese. Misapplying a part of diocesan canon law (Canon 13: Applications by Parishes for Diocesan Assistance), Bishop McKelvey is seeking to have a fully functional parish, All Saints Protestant Episcopal Church in Irondequoit, declared “extinct” by a vote of Diocesan Convention on November 18-19. This action contradicts the laws of New York State regarding a duly incorporated and functional congregation like All Saints.
Why is this action being recommended? Our congregation has tried to remain a faithful member of the Episcopal Church (ECUSA) and the broader Anglican Communion. On All Saints Day we celebrated our 80th year of mission and ministry in Irondequoit as a Bible-based parish in the orthodox Anglican traditions of our Christian faith.
The ninety-one members of our parish are asking themselves why the diocese seeks to treat us with such unprecedented severity:
- Because we believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and Head of the Church?
- Because we believe in the authority of the Holy Scriptures as we seek to apply them to our lives?
- Because we seek to remain faithful as Christians within the Anglican Communion as defined in the Windsor Report?
- Because we cannot in good conscience (with moneys and hearts offered to Almighty God through our parish Mission and Ministries) support the ministries of the diocese and ECUSA that deny the authority of Scripture, the official teachings of the Church, and the advice of the Instruments of Unity in the Anglican Communion as described in the Windsor Report?
We are alive and well, thanks be to God.
Contact: The Rev. David J. Harnish at allsaintsr@yahoo.com or 585-342-1605
Approved by the Vestry of All Saints Protestant Episcopal Church, Rochester, N.Y.
Posted at 8:34 am 11.16.2005 | Permalink