As the Rocky Mountain News puts it the Diocese of Colorado has “turned up the heat” in its legal tangle with the secessionist group that seized the property of Grace and Holy Trinity Church in Colorado Springs:
The petition asks the court to add 18 people to the diocese’s existing countersuit, which is seeking monetary damages as well as repossession of the church.
The targeted members include everyone on the parish’s governing board as well as the church’s main spokesman, Alan Crippen, and its rector of 20 years, the Rev. Don Armstrong.
In its press release announcing the move the diocese states
In accordance with Colorado law, which requires that all essential persons be included in a suit, the Episcopal parish and diocese are requesting that the court add as parties those individuals who have led the secessionist group in taking the property.
Read the Rocky Mountain News coverage here. Read the diocese’s press release here.
The diocese also accuses Don Armstrong of financial wrongdoing. An earlier press release dated October 23 stated:
The Bishop has reported the results of the Diocese’s investigation to the appropriate legal authorities, has turned over all documents related to the investigation, and is cooperating fully with law enforcement officials. Bishop Robert O’Neill today expressed his confidence that the criminal justice system will respond appropriately.