While some parishes are forced to pay their apportionment (assessment), they are not obliged to pay further monies toward the diocese’s ongoing “mission”. Those monies are optional, though Virtuosity has learned that in dioceses like Pennsylvania and Florida the bishops are twisting arms, using threats and coercion to extort more money out of richer orthodox parishes to support their agendas.

The Primates called for adequate provision, and any provision that frustrates delays or denies the process isn’t adequate.

The AAC on the other hand will work in a grass roots manner to help orthodox ECUSA congregations that are already known to the bishop, apply for DEPO. Although the AAC doesn’t believe that DEPO is adequate, it is the vehicle produced by the House of Bishops, and AAC wants to see it in action.

Zabriskie described himself as one who sits on several national and international boards on behalf of the ECUSA, wrote that “good Episcopalians can differ regarding important theological and ethical matters” but crossing diocesan boundaries is going too far.

He concluded his letter saying, “it is my deepest hope that the Communion will stand, the Church will flourish and we will not be self-consumed and broken irrevocably.”

The priests involved are the Rev. Barclay Mayo, rector of St. Andrews, Pender Harbour, the Rev. Silas Ng, rector of the Church of Emmanuel, Richmond, the Rev. Ed Hird, rector of St. Simon’s, North Vancouver, and the Rev. Paul Carter, a priest on leave from the diocese.