Source: Reuters, Associated Press, KFSN TV, Fresno Bee
FRESNO, California -- The Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin is suing a deposed bishop who led a secession last year prompted by the church's ordination of women and gays.

The diocese said in its lawsuit, filed Thursday in Fresno County Superior Court, that John-David Schofield breached his duties to the church and demanded he vacate his offices and turn over diocesan property and financial accounts.

National church leaders removed Schofield as the head of the Fresno-based diocese after he led parishioners to align themselves with the conservative Province of the Southern Cone, an Argentina-based member of the worldwide Anglican Communion.

The complaint demands that Schofield leave the Fresno church offices that he continues to occupy as head of what he claims is a new Anglican diocese. It also demands that he return control of a church investment trust and foundation and return bank and brokerage accounts, money, and financial, historical, and property records.

The legal fight is over a 14-county diocese that includes more than 40 congregations. The lawsuit asks the court to determine who the head of the Diocese of San Joaquin is.

Last month, Jerry Lamb, a bishop loyal to the U.S. church, was elected to head the Episcopal San Joaquin diocese. Schofield, however, maintains he is an Anglican bishop of the Diocese of San Joaquin under the worldwide church.

Lamb said in a statement Friday that there was no other viable way to recover church property but to seek court intervention.

"Regardless of the necessity of proceeding with the litigation, the diocesan leadership and I remain committed to reconciliation with clergy and parishes that are still trying to understand their relationship with the Episcopal Church," Lamb said in the statement.

"What we are talking about is who the Bishop is and who is in control of all these assets of the diocese. And we're saying it can't be John-David Schofield because he was removed from office," Lamb said

The Rev. Van McCalister, a spokesman for the secessionist diocese Schofield leads, said Friday that the deposed bishop's parishioners are the rightful owners of the properties Bishop Lamb is seeking. As such, he said, there is no reason for Schofield to comply with Lamb's demands.

McCalister said he assumed the lawsuit applies to the 40 parish churches and missions within the diocese, as well as other assets. He said an eviction order had not been served on the Fresno offices Schofield continues to occupy as head of the Anglican diocese.

Bishop Lamb said he is not fighting for control of individual churches but Bishop Lamb has not ruled out that option.

Reverend Keith Axberg supports Bishop Lamb. Axberg hopes the lawsuit will finally resolve the dispute and heal the church. He said, "Reconciliation doesn't mean giving up what you believe in, rather coming together and saying how can we operate and work and cooperate together that the gospel may go forward."

Full article: Episcopal Church sues rebel California bishop | Reuters
Episcopal church sues deposed Calif. bishop over property | Associated Press
A Divided Church Lands in Court | KFSN TV
Episcopal church sues deposed San Joaquin bishop | Fresno Bee