Milwaukee Diocese Awaits Response from Breakaway Congregation

February 18, 2009

The Diocese of Milwaukee filed suit Feb. 16 against the leadership and congregation of St. Edmund’s Anglican Church in Elm Grove, Wis. Among the requests in the seven-count complaint is a permanent injunction ordering defendants to relinquish control of the real and personal parish property to the diocese as well as fees and costs.

The Rt. Rev. Steven A. Miller, Bishop of Milwaukee, is currently on sabbatical, but he provided a written statement when The Living Church contacted the diocesan office.

“We are saddened to take this action and it has not been taken lightly,” he said. “It’s an unfortunate situation for all involved. But under our canon law, all parish property ultimately belongs to the diocese, and we have to enforce that law for the unity and well-being of the Church.” the rest