www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday March 5, 2008 - 3 Break-away members gain sole custody of church Continued from page 1 have sole use of St. Hilda's and St. George's. Ramsay rejected a bid by the Diocese of Niagara to continue sharing the two buildings. Both churches split Feb. 17 over their concern the national church was becoming too liberal and supportive of same-sex marriages. They joined the more conservative Anglican Network in Canada. "This is not just a couple of churches," said Rev. Charlie Masters of St. George's. "This is a worldwide Anglican realignment that is happening on this very issue, and so the thought that it could be glossed over for a couple of weeks in our buildings, I think the judge did understand it." The interim ruling remains in place until a hearing March 20 that will determine longerterm arrangements while the courts decide ownership of the properties. "Obviously we're very relieved that we're left to worship in peace, for a couple of weeks anyway," said Valentine. "It did give us time to just relax and worship the Lord and do what we do best. For us, it means a lot to be able to carry on our outreach ministries." As for determining ownership of the building, Valentine maintains it should remain with the parishioners, who bought and paid for the church and have maintained its upkeep "without any assistance from the diocese." "On top of that," she said, "we feel that this church was built as an Anglican church, and we are Anglican. We have not left the Anglican tradition. The Church of Canada, the Anglican Church of Canada, has left the Anglican tradition. "We want to be full Anglicans," Valentine added. Although both sides agreed on four of five terms in earlier negotiations, they could not LIESA KORTMANN / OAKVILLE BEAVER DISPUTED CHURCH: St. Hilda's on Rebecca Street is one of two area church congregations to break away from the Anglican Church of Canada in a dispute over traditional Anglican values. Last Friday, a judge awarded the church facility to the break-away members. "This is not just a couple of churches. This is a worldwide Anglican realignment that is happening on this very issue, and so the thought that it could be glossed over for a couple of weeks in our buildings, I think the judge did understand it." Rev. Charlie Masters of St. George's resolve the issue of property use. On Feb. 21, they agreed to hold consecutive separate services at both locations that Sunday. Lawyer for the diocese, John Page, sought to continue that arrangement in the interim while lawyer for the churches, Peter Jarvis, asked for exclusive use of the buildings. Justice James Ramsay suggested continued sharing of the property was unreasonable. "I'm not saying you have to get out, I'm saying someone has to get out," he said in response to Page's submission that the diocese was offering to share, but the churches would have none of it. "What I feel most disappointment about are the faithful parishioners of St. George's and St. Hilda's who are not going to be able to worship in an Anglican Church of Canada service this Sunday in a church were they should be," said Bishop Michael Bird with the diocese. Valentine, too, expressed regret that the decision had come to this. "It's just a sadness that the diocese have ADVERTORIAL "We feel that that church was built as an Anglican church, and we are Anglican. We have not left the Anglican tradition. The Church of Canada, the Anglican Church of Canada, has left the Anglican tradition." St. Hilda's parishioner Paula Valentine people in there we've known many, many years and worked together with many years. It's sad these things come to this, and we just pray we come to a peaceful resolution." -- With files from Torstar News Service Need Help Choosing Natural Stone? See our design team! Looking for something different? You'll find it here. We specialize in importing and supplying quality ceramics, porcelain, and natural stone with a variety of exclusive lines. 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