Episcopalians launch legal action over deconsecrations

Tuesday, 9th December 2008
By George Conger

Episcopalians on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota have filed a lawsuit against the diocese and Bishop Creighton Robertson, asking the Oglala Sioux tribal court to block plans to deconsecrate surplus churches and cemeteries.

On Nov 22 a writ was served against the diocese seeking an emergency stay halting the closure of nine of the 16 churches on the reservation slated for the first Sunday in Advent. Last Monday the executive committee of the Sioux tribal council also called upon the diocese to turn over the properties to the tribe, should it shutter the buildings.

Writing in his diocesan newspaper, Bishop Robertson defended the closures saying “this is not an ‘Indian War’,” but “a responsible review of property and use of resources entrusted” to us. the rest