On July 30th, a Title IV complaint was filed with The Episcopal Church regarding Bishop Provenzano's takeover of St. James' Church in Elmhurst Queens. The bishop is the 8th and current bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Long Island. The complaint alleges the seizure caused severe disparate treatment and impact. It also challenges the bishop's authority to seize control of the church's governance and property. The complaint seeks full restoration of the church's status as a parish which includes the right to elect it's own governing board (vestry) and manage its property. The case has the potential of changing the dynamics between local churches and the Dioceses. Click here to read the complaint.
