From the Bishop’s Desk

Dear members of the clergy of the Diocese of New Jersey,

 

As many of you have heard, we are facing a difficult legal challenge at Christ Episcopal Church, Toms River. The mayor and township council of Toms River have begun proceedings to impose an eminent domain ordinance on the Christ Church property. This appears to be a response to the church’s vital outreach ministries.

If the eminent domain action were to go forward, it would remove a congregation from their home of 160 years and end many essential ministries that offer support to those in need in the Toms River community and beyond. In addition, I am deeply concerned about the potential precedent for municipal, state, or federal control of faith communities. Eminent domain should never be used to control a church’s faithful ministries.

We are responding on a number of levels, and I am grateful for the support and assistance of the Presiding Bishop and his staff. Christ Church has started a petition to show public support for the congregation in opposing the eminent domain ordinance. Please read the petition and sign if you are able to do so. Please also consider sharing the petition on social media and with your congregations. If you wish, you can share my Facebook post. (Ed. note: the petition can be found at Change.org – simply type “Christ Church” in the search bar on the website. The Bishop’s Facebook post has been shared on the Cathedral’s Facebook page and can be found there.)

We know that public opinion matters to the mayor and township council and this petition will strengthen our response. Please help Christ Church and the Diocese of New Jersey as we work to respond to this unjust and harmful action.

 

Faithfully,

Bishop Sally French

The Right Reverend Sally French
13th Bishop of the Diocese of New Jersey