ILLINOIS: Judge again denies Moline church access to endowment funds

[david at virtueonline.org]

ILLINOIS: Judge again denies Moline church access to endowment funds

By Anthony Watt 
Quad-Cities Online 
http://qconline.com/archives/qco/display.php?id=451746 
August 04, 2009, 

A Rock Island County judge Tuesday upheld an earlier decision blocking Moline's Christ Church from its endowment.

The church is a parish of the Diocese of Quincy which elected last year to leave the larger Episcopal Church because of differences on a variety of topics, from interpretations of Scripture to homosexuality.

The two groups are vying for an endowment fund at First Midwest Bank. Christ Church officials claim the funds belong to them, regardless of whether Christ Church remained with the Episcopal Church. Christ Church officials said they use the endowment to pay bills, salaries and day-to-day expenses.

But officials with the Episcopal Church argued that Christ Church was part of a diocese it created and that any assets held by either group were held in trust for the Episcopal Church.

At a hearing Tuesday, Judge James J. Mesich upheld his July decision, denying Christ Church a temporary injunction that would have allowed it to regain access to the funds. The Moline church had asked Judge Mesich to reverse his decision.

Previously, Canon Ed den Blaauwen, leader of Christ Church, said the church's inability to use the funds won't force it to close its doors. but he noted the loss of access to the money will probably affect its outreach efforts.

On Tuesday, Canon den Blaauwen said the church is still trying to determine how to deal with the loss. He added it is receiving other revenue through gifts and donations.

Christ Church's attorney Dan Churchill said he would have to consult with his client before deciding how to proceed in court.

END