Reservation Churches Prepare Lawsuits to Halt Closings

October 10, 2008

The decision to close nine churches on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota has sparked a growing controversy, with the congregations now preparing to file lawsuits in tribal court to keep their churches open.

The strongest public challenge to the closings to date has come from members of Christ Church, Red Shirt Table, who sent a six-page letter to Bishop Creighton Robertson dated September 10. When asked to comment on the letter, South Dakota diocesan administrator Randy Barnhardt said the bishop's office had not received a copy. But Lorri Ann Two Bulls, a member of Christ Church, reported that the certified letter sent to Robertson "was returned and had been refused by the bishop's office." Mr. Barnhardt subsequently confirmed that the diocese had refused to receive the letter. Copies were also sent to members of South Dakota's Standing Committee, as well as national church officials and the local media.

In its letter, Christ Church members questioned the closing of "these particular churches when it is a reality that financial hardship and low attendance are real and the same for all the churches on all the reservations." It also questioned why the action was being taken just as the diocese is beginning a search for a new bishop. The congregation noted that Bishop Robertson "has not once crossed the threshold of Christ Episcopal Church, Red Shirt, for a visitation since he became bishop” more than 14 years ago. the rest

Northern Plains Anglicans