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Updates on Title IV Complaint
to Save St. James' Episcopal Church
Elmhurst, Queens
WELCOME!​
This website exists to keep the members and friends of St. James informed of the Title IV complaint regarding Bishop Provenzano's take over of the church in violation of a court order, NYS Religious Corporation law, and the canons of The Episcopal Church.
Goals of Website & Complaint
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To restore the harmony, fellowship, stewardship, and discipleship under the spiritual leadership of dedicated clergy.
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To remind diocesan leadership that "The ministry of lay persons is to represent Christ and his Church...to carry on Christ’s work of reconciliation in the world; and to take their place in the life, worship, and governance of the Church."
Diocese Sued!
Articles
& Resources
Bishop Calls Snap Meeting
with Congregation
Saturday, September 17, 2023
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Fr. Paul announced on Sunday Bishop Provenzano will visit St. James Church this Tuesday, (9/18/18), at 7:00 p.m.
Featured Blogs​​
The complaint against Bishop Provenzano's (alleged) illegal seizure of St. James in Elmhurst received online coverage from VirtueOnline a major voice for Anglican and Episcopal issues and news.
The former warden of St. James filed a Title IV complaint regarding Bishop Provenzano’s dismissing the vestry and transferring its property to the Diocese in 2013. The complaint alleges the bishop treated St. James differently from Holy Trinity in Nassau County resulting in disparate treatment and disparate impact for the St. James’ and its members. The complaint further alleges the bishop violated a 2008 NYS Supreme Ct. decision, NYS Religious Corporation Law, and the national and diocesan canons.
The complaint argues that the bishop exceeded his authority when he declared St. James a mission church and transferred its property to the Trustees of the Estate. The complaint relies on an NYS Supreme Court decision, the NYS Religious Corporation Law (RCO), and the church canon.
In 2013, the bishop converted St. James from a parish to a mission church. This effectively stripped the congregation from hiring a rector, acting as stewards of their church, and electing a vestry to oversee the church’s temporal affairs. It's unclear where the bishop claims the authority to change a parish’s status from an autonomous independent religious corporation to mission of the diocese and subject to the bishop's direct control. The Title IV complaint raises this question. (See Claim 2 of Title IV complaint).
The complaint alleges the bishop treated St. James’ differently from its sister church in Nassau County, who experienced similar hardships, resulting in disparate impact and disparate treatment. What are disparate impact and disparate treatment? And how did the bishop’s actions result in both? Claim 1 of the Title IV complaint discusses this in detail.
Email Us:
St. James' Church
84-07 Broadway,
Elmhurst, NY 11373
