The Diocese of New Westminster has received a $155,000 cheque from four churches, including St. Matthew’s parish in Abbotsford, to cover legal costs as ordered by the courts.
The funds were issued from the legal representatives of the 22 individuals who took the diocese to court for control of the church properties and other assets. The legal battle proceeded through BC Supreme Court, the BC Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Canada.
The courts ruled in favour of the diocese in the battle which stemmed from the issue of same-sex blessings. The diocese is a member of the Anglican Church of Canada (ACC), which allows the blessings.
The four churches, including three in Vancouver, split from ACC to join the Anglican Network in Canada (ANiC), which believes the blessings are contrary to core Anglican doctrine.
After the courts ruled that the properties belong to the diocese, ANiC members of St. Matthew’s moved to Grace Evangelical Bible Church.