Colorado Episcopal Church in Crisis
By COLLEEN SLEVIN
March 27, 2007

DENVER - Colorado's largest Episcopal church was left in chaos after leaders voted to leave the denomination and the bishop responded by dismissing the parish's leadership.

The controversy at Colorado Springs' Grace Episcopal Church and St. Stephen's Parish is the latest to roil the Episcopal Church following the national denomination's acceptance of homosexuality.

The vestry of Grace Church and St. Stephen's Parish on Monday voted to bolt from the national church and instead join a conservative Anglican church based in Nigeria.

But Bishop Robert O'Neill rejected the move, dismissing the local leaders and saying the Colorado Springs parish would remain part of the Episcopal Church. the rest


Stand Firm: Bishop O'Neill Declares Grace-St. Stephens Vestry Vacant

Dear Friends,

As you can imagine, I was deeply saddened to learn this morning that the vestry of Grace and Saint Stephen's Church voted to affiliate themselves with the Province of Nigeria under the auspices of CANA, and I want to share with you what information I can at this time.

You will undoubtedly read various accounts of this decision in the morning's papers and on various websites. Such a decision in the best of circumstances has many significant ramifications--canonically, legally, financially, pastorally, and personally--both for members of the vestry and for members of the congregation. In the current situation at Grace and Saint Stephen's--one in which serious allegations of possible long-term and significant financial defalcation have been made against Father Armstrong--the implications are not only more complictated but potentially more injurious to all involved. In spite of the claims that they have made publicly, my office has provided the vestry with as much information as possible regarding the allegations against Father Armstrong given the canonical restrictions calling for confidentiality while an investigation is ongoing. The vestry of Grace and Saint Stephen's Church is well informed about those allegations. That they have chosen in consultation with Father Armstrong to "leave" The Episcopal Church knowing that on the same day that our Standing Committee, acting as the Diocesan Review Committee, received the report of the Church Attorney containing the results of the investigation, only calls into question the motivation of the vestry and Father Armstrong in making such a decision. the rest