Episcopal diocese sues bishop
The Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin has sued a deposed bishop who led a secession last year prompted by the church’s ordination of women and gays, demanding he vacate his offices and turn over financial accounts.
The diocese said in its lawsuit, filed Thursday in Fresno County Superior Court, that John-David Schofield breached his duties to the church.
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.
Last month, Jerry Lamb, a bishop loyal to the U.S. church, was elected to head the San Joaquin diocese.
Schofield, however, maintains he is an Anglican bishop of the Diocese of San Joaquin under the worldwide church.
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