Breakaway Niagara Anglican churches consider appealing order to share with diocese

By Tobi Cohen
THE CANADIAN PRESS
Tuesday, May 6, 2008

TORONTO - As three breakaway Ontario Anglican parishes decide whether to appeal an interim court ruling that requires they share their churches with the diocese, efforts are underway to figure out what to do about this Sunday’s services.

Because Monday’s ruling is so vastly different than that of an earlier judge, Anglican Network in Canada director Cheryl Chang said the breakaway group is seriously considering an appeal and has seven days to make a decision.

Justice Jane Milanetti’s interim ruling, released Monday, is expected to remain in effect until the issue of who owns the church properties is resolved - a process that could take years.

It also comes in stark contrast to an earlier, even shorter-term ruling, by Superior Court Justice James Ramsay, who gave exclusive use of the churches to the breakaway parishes for several weeks. That gave both sides time to build their arguments, which they presented before Milanetti. the rest