Episcopal Diocese sues deposed Fresno bishop

The Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin has filed a lawsuit against a deposed bishop who tried to secede from the church last fall to protest the ordination of women and gays.

According to the lawsuit filed Thursday in Fresno Superior Court, John-David Schofield breached his duties to the church last December when he broke from the U.S. Episcopal Church and placed San Joaquin's parishioners, property and endowments in the hands of the Anglican Province of the Southern Cone of America, based in Buenos Aires.

The diocese, which serves nearly 9,000 parishioners in the Central Valley from Lodi to Bakersfield, split into camps following the 2003 ordination of the Right Rev. V. Gene Robinson, a gay man, in New Hampshire.

His consecration has divided the nation's 2.5 million Episcopalians between those who applaud the changes and others who interpret Scripture to bar gay relationships.

The Diocese of San Joaquin, however, was the first to separate from the U.S. Episcopal Church. Schofield was formally removed from his post in March, but continues to claim he is a bishop under the worldwide Episcopal Church.

"The lawsuit says give us our stuff back, and quit saying you are the bishop in San Joaquin because you are not," said Jerry Lamb, who was elected last month to head the San Joaquin diocese. "We want to make it clear that I am now the bishop."

The complaint demands that Schofield vacate his Fresno offices and return control of church investment trusts, foundations, bank and brokerage accounts, and historical and property records.

The Chronicle was unable to reach Schofield for comment Friday afternoon.

Episcopal Diocese sues deposed Fresno bishop
San Francisco Chronicle