4- The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday May 7, 2008 www.oakvillebeaver.com Howard Williams.ca Members get joint custody of breakaway Anglican churches Members of three breakaway Anglican churches in Halton and Niagara won't get exclusive use of the properties while their future is decided. The Ontario Superior Court ruled Monday dissident members must share space, administration and management at St. Hilda's in Oakville, St. George's in Lowville and Good Shepherd in St. Catharines with the Anglican Diocese of Niagara until ownership has been decided by the courts. That could take up to 10 years. The ruling is a disappointment for the members of all three parishes, a majority of whom voted earlier this year to become part of the more conservative Anglican Network in Canada, with 15 churches. A spokesperson said last night the breakaway church members are reviewing the court decision. The three churches had asked the court to grant them exclusive use of the properties while the ownership question is before the courts. Diocese spokesperson Archdeacon Michael Patterson said last night the decision that the facilities be shared is welcome. The Anglican Diocese of Canada had asked for shared management and use. "Justice Milanetti accepted our proposal for sharing and joint administration as a logical interim solution," he said. "We feel that we were completely justified in resorting to the courts after negotiations failed. We can now provide ministry for loyal members of the diocese and move forward to safeguard the physical heritage of the churches, which were built by and have served generations of Anglicans." Patterson made it clear the diocese is still anxious to pursue "constructive dialogue with those in the church who have taken a different view throughout this matter." In her ruling, Justice Jane Milanetti ordered the three parishes be jointly managed and administered by a committee made up of one representative of the withdrawing members of each church and the diocese administrator of each church. Disputes will be referred to an arbitrator. The diocese will also get full access to each of the three parishes for three hours each Sunday for services and on other feast days. The diocese will also have full access to the properties for marriages, including rehearsal and funeral services of members of the continuing congregation of the diocese at each. The roots of the dispute lie in the Anglican Church of Canada's decision last summer that blessings of samesex marriages do contravene core church doctrine. -- Torstar News Service After 130 years, our first sale ever, is also our very last sale. Howard Williams Jewellers is UT ! O S NG NES OI SI G U FB O 45%75% OFF 33%66% OFF 50% - 80% Bins at your disposal Renovating? Spring Cleaning? Need A Bin? Easy To Rent... Various Sizes. Mini Bins or Larger Roll-Off Containers HUGE NEW DISCOUNTS S D 309 Lakeshore Road East, Oakville EN N! T 905-815-1220 LE OO SA S Original gold bullion pricing no adjustment made for increased gold pricing THOMSON Thomson Metals & Disposal www.thomsonmetals.com For Bin Info & Rates Call 905.681.8832