Fight heats up against Anglican church sales

A RESISTANCE group formed to challenge the Anglican Church’s sale of properties to fund a redress scheme for victims of abuse is rallying support.

St Andrew’s church at Westbury is one of the buildings on the list of churches for sale. Picture: CHRIS KIDD

A RESISTANCE group formed to challenge the Anglican Church’s sale of properties to fund a redress scheme for victims of abuse is rallying support with a series of public meetings to be held this week.

The Save Our Community Soul group, established after a meeting in Campbell Town on Thursday, is also approaching the State Government to clarify legal issues associated with the church’s plan to sell 108 properties around Tasmania, including 76 churches.

COMMUNITY UNITED IN FIGHT AGAINST CHURCH SALES

Attorney-General Elise Archer will attend the first public meeting at Ouse on Monday night. “Though the sale of churches is a matter for the Anglican Church to determine, we understand there is community concern,” Ms Archer said.

Attorney-General Elise Archer.

“That’s why the Government is looking to introduce legislation later this year to ensure the honouring of exclusive burial rights, and continued public access for relatives and friends of the deceased.”

SOCS member and Hobart City Council Alderman Damon Thomas said many church groups around Tasmania were dealing with the dilemma of how they might save the church they have maintained. One group, in Windermere, has already raised $45,000 to fund its redress fund contribution and St Matthias’ might be removed from the list of properties proposed for sale when the Diocesan Council deliberates in December.

CHARLES WOOLEY: HISTORY REPEATS ... AGAIN AND AGAIN

MORE: SYNOD GIVES GREEN LIGHT FOR CHURCH SELLOFF

Damon Thomas.

But SOCS says communities should not have to raise money to stop community-owned and maintained assets from being sold by those who are holding them “in trust”.

“The legal case is a fascinating one, which may set new standards in the area and see how earlier British law is applied in this country,” Alderman Thomas said.

“Under that law a property was given back when there was evidence of a breach of the purpose for the original gift. It was not time linked.

“There is at least one church, St Barnabas in South Arm, and potentially many more where there is a clear restriction on the title.”

MORE: PARISHES DIG DEEP TO SAVE THEIR CHURCHES

An Anglican Church spokesman said SOCS had not yet contacted the church.

“It might be more constructive if they sit down with us to talk about their concerns before taking a costly legal route, but that is their decision,” he said.

“We welcome community engagement and have recently released guidelines for community feedback. We are keen to hear their views.”

MORE: HOW TO RESPOND TO CHURCH SALE PROPOSALS

The Ouse meeting will be held at the town hall at 6pm. Another will be held at Jericho Hall on Tuesday at 6pm and Bothwell on Wednesday night with a rally organised for Campbell Town on August 26.