February 29, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Michael Patterson
Days: (905) 527-1316 ext.257
Evenings: (905) 842-3970
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Judge Sides with Network

 Hamilton, Ontario, February 29, 2008 –Today a court ruled that the Diocese of Niagara will be refused access for the first time in 150 years to local churches for services during the next two weeks until a full hearing on the matter of access can take place on March 20th, 2008. The Diocese argued that a sharing agreement had worked the week before and that it should be continued, while a member from The Network stated that they would rather “abandon the buildings than share with anyone”.

“We are deeply disappointed that we could not have an amicable sharing agreement. This will be the first time that St. George’s Church will not have had an Anglican Church of Canada service in over 150 years,” says Coadjutor Bishop Michael Bird.

According to materials on their web site, The Network is attempting to establish a new Anglican Diocese in Canada separate from the Anglican Church of Canada (ACoC). They claim to have a one million dollar defence fund in order to support their claims to church buildings currently owned by other dioceses in Canada. They have numerous step by step resources and have held a conference to encourage congregations to join this movement. The Right Rev. Colin R. Johnson, Bishop of Toronto has stated that 15 out of 2,300 parishes across Canada have voted to join The Network.

“We are not prepared to give in to this injustice. These buildings and these congregations have been entrusted to us for over a century. We will continue to do everything in our power to provide spiritual support to all of the ongoing members of the Diocese of Niagara,” stated Archdeacon Michael Patterson, Executive Officer of the Diocese.

The Diocese will be providing alternative services for their members at sites near the churches. Details on these services will be available on the Diocese of Niagara website.
www.niagara.anglican.ca    

The Synod of the Diocese of Niagara’s mission is to ensure the growth of healthy, spiritually vibrant, outward looking faith communities. The Niagara Diocese is a Christian organisation and has held membership with the Anglican Church of Canada since 1875.
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