Episcopal Diocese Sues To Get Bristol Church

The Rev. Donald Helmandollar has become accustomed to the refrain he hears when he greets parishioners outside Trinity Episcopal Church in Bristol each Sunday: "I see we're here for another week."

Their weeks there may be numbered now that the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut has sued Helmandollar and 10 members of the church's governing body, accusing them of trespassing on church property.

Helmandollar's parish voted itself out of the Episcopal Church this year, but has not left the church buildings. Helmandollar says the parish was part of the Anglican Communion long before the diocese existed and should retain the church property now that it has aligned with another Anglican group.

But the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut claims the buildings and other property - including parish records, bank accounts, furniture, and objects used in worship - as its own, and when Trinity did not vacate them by a diocese-set deadline last month, the diocese turned to legal action. Read more

No comments will be posted without a full name and location, see the policy.