The lawsuit initially filed by The Episcopal Church and the Diocese of San Joaquin against John-David Schofield, former bishop of the Diocese of San Joaquin, has been amended on the basis of new information gathered about recent transfers of real and personal property and assets to entities formed by Mr. Schofield and his attorney sometime in early April of 2008. The former bishop was deposed by the Episcopal House of Bishops on March 12, 2008.

The amended complaint and summons were filed on June 2, 2008 in Fresno County by attorneys for The Episcopal Church and Diocese of San Joaquin. The amended complaint also names Merrill Lynch, the financial institution managing the investment accounts of the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin. as a defendant and seeks a court order to turn over the accounts to [Episcopal] Diocese of San Joaquin and the Diocesan Corporate Sole, and to prohibit Mr. Schofield's further use or access to those accounts. As a result, Merrill Lynch has frozen the accounts indefinitely until the Court issues a ruling on these issues. This freeze will not affect any of the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin's assets, accounts or operations.

The Diocesan Office in Stockton, California announced that it is seeking an arrangement with Merrill Lynch that would allow staff purportedly working for Mr. Schofield to continue to be paid in hardship cases. "We are working with financial institutions to minimize any financial hardship on their staff such as parish administrators" said The Right Rev. Jerry Lamb, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin. "This legal action is intended to insure that the assets given by faithful parishioners remain in the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin for its continuing ministry." The amended complaint and summons are available on the Diocesan website: www.diosanjoaquin.org.

In other news, Bishop Jerry Lamb has received an invitation by the Archbishop of Canterbury to attend the Lambeth Conference as the Bishop of the Diocese of San Joaquin. This invitation, which is issued to bishops in dioceses and archbishops, affirms that the Anglican Communion recognizes the Diocese of San Joaquin of the Episcopal Church as the only Anglican Diocese in central California. Prior to his deposition on March 12, 2008, an invitation was issued to John-David Schofield, former bishop.

Since its Special Convention on March 29, Bishop Jerry Lamb has invited all clergy and congregations to re-affirm their commitment to the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin. He has scheduled a series of meetings from June 16 - 19 in Modesto, Fresno, Bakersfield and Stockton to seek reconciliation with clergy who have not yet made a commitment to the diocese. All clergy will be invited to attend one of these meetings, or to speak privately with the Bishop.

Contacts:

• The Right Rev. Jerry Lamb, Bishop of the Diocese of San Joaquin           jerrylamb@diosanjoaquin.org; 209.953.0006

• Michael Glass, Esq., Chancellor to the Bishop and Diocese of San Joaquin        mglass@diosanjoquin.org; 415.454.8485

• The Rev. Canon Mark Hall, Canon to the Ordinary        mhall@diosanjoaquin.org; 209.953.0006

• Nancy Key, Communications Coordinator            communications@diosanjoaquin.org; 559.244.0262

• Diocesan Website: www.diosanjoaquin.org

 

A PDF of this Press Release is available here.