Episcopal Press and News
MASSACHUSETTS: Diocese settles lawsuit with former members of Attleboro parish
Episcopal News Service. August 7, 2007 [080707-03]
The Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts and the former rector and vestry members of All Saints' Episcopal Church in Attleboro, Massachusetts, have reached an agreement, which calls for the return of church funds and property.
According to a statement, a lawsuit had been filed by the diocese to recover the assets, personal property and books and records of the church, which the diocese said had been wrongfully removed by departing members of the congregation in connection with their affiliation with the Anglican Province of Rwanda's Anglican Mission in America. The departing members formed All Saint's Anglican Church and are meeting in rented space at Fisher College in Boston.
The terms of the agreement were not made public, but diocesan staff officer for urban ministry development, the Rev. Gregory A. Jacobs, said that the settlement "will allow the continuing congregation at All Saints' Episcopal Church to grow their ministry as they continue to be a vital presence in the faith community of Attleboro."
A diocesan official told the Boston Globe newspaper that the diocese recovered "a respectable" fraction of the $180,000 that was in dispute.
John F.D. Jacobi III, the lawyer for the breakaway parishioners, told the Globe that "both sides were looking for a way to move on."
"There was a legitimate difference of opinion, which we resolved, and both sides felt that it was fair and equitable," he said.
Jacobs denied accusations that the Episcopal Church had pressured the diocese into filing the lawsuit or contributed to the legal costs. "Dioceses are naturally talking to each other about what they have done in these situations, but the diocese pays the legal costs, and the diocese is determining what is in the best interests of the diocese and its congregations," he told the Globe.
Worship attendance continues to grow at All Saints' Episcopal Church following the departure of the former members in January, according to the diocese's statement. Some 120 people celebrated at the Easter Day service, six young people and one adult were confirmed on May 5 and a welcome ministry has been established to bring newcomers into the parish community. The parish is preparing a fall start-up of its Sunday school and lay leaders are overseeing religious education, outreach and social justice ministries, according to the diocese's statement.
"The settlement will assist All Saints' Episcopal Church to continue its momentum for growth and renewal," Jacobs said.