The Anglican Church of Canada will likely go to court to regain possession of a church building in Madeira Park.
St. Andrew's Anglican Church was built in 1979.
Last year, Rev. Barclay Mayo and many of the congregation left the Canadian church in protest over their bishop's decision to allow the blessing of same-sex couples. They joined the Rwandan Anglican church and renamed the Pender Harbour parish Christ the Redeemer and continued to use the St. Andrew's building as well as the next-door property known as Brookes House.
This week, the diocese of New Westminster ordered Mayo and his followers to hand over the church buildings and property by April 1. The diocese appointed Rev. Mark Lemon of St. Hilda's Anglican Church in Sechelt as interim priest of the St. Andrew's parish.
But Mayo doesn't plan to leave.
"We're just going to stay. If they get a court order from a judge, we will peacefully depart," said Mayo. "On April 1, all the wardens and trustees will be in the church. If Mr. Lemon shows up with the intention of taking over the church, we'll call the police."
Mayo believes Christ the Redeemer has a strong legal case for possession of the church, based on the "beneficial ownership" argument often used in divorce cases.
"People in our congregation are the ones who bought, paid for and maintained the building," said Mayo.
A similar situation is happening in North Vancouver, where Rev. Ed Hird and much of the congregation of St. Simon's also left the Anglican Church of Canada. The diocese of New Westminster is seeking to regain possession of the St. Simon's church building as well.
Neale Adams, spokesman for the diocese of New Westminster, said there is no intention of causing a confrontation. "The intention is to do this peaceably," Adams said. "The diocese wants a Canadian Anglican church in these areas and is taking these steps."
The Pender Harbour conflict reflects a worldwide debate among Anglicans over homosexuality. Conservative Anglicans, including many in Africa and Asia, are disturbed both by the Diocese of New Westminster's decision to allow priests to bless gay couples and the ordination of an openly gay bishop in the U.S. Episcopal Church.
