It was relatively easy on Nov. 19 for the Rochester diocesan convention to declare a viable parish that claims 91 members “extinct.” But when the Rt. Rev. Jack McKelvey arrived two days later at All Saints’ Church in Irondequoit, N.Y., to collect the keys to the property, the parish’s lawyer informed Bishop McKelvey that he would not be turning over the keys that day “or at any time.”

All Saints’ has repeatedly refused to pay its canonically mandated parochial assessment, $16,000 for 2005. In a letter to the rector and vestry dated Nov. 15, Bishop McKelvey warned the Rev. David Harnish that he would be prohibited under church law from celebrating the following Sunday, and warned the vestry that their congregation would legally cease to exist if the resolution was approved at the diocesan convention that weekend.

“I will come to the church on Sunday morning at the regular time to conduct a prayer service and be available with others of my staff to answer any and all questions which members of your congregation may have,” Bishop McKelvey wrote.

When Bishop McKelvey arrived at the 78-year-old church, he was met at the entrance by Raymond J. Dague, the parish lawyer, vestry member Al Bagdonas and a plainclothes sheriff’s deputy. Bishop McKelvey was told he was welcome to worship, but he would have no leadership role in the service.

“Your rector has been informed that he’s not authorized to conduct this service, so I will not participate in it,” said Bishop McKelvey, who, along with his bodyguard and other members of his staff, then sat in one of the back pews. Bishop McKelvey rose from his seat only once during the service when Mr. Bagdonas and several others greeted him during the passing of the peace.

After the service, Bishop McKelvey told reporters outside the church that he was concerned for the people of All Saints’. “We will make decisions down the road as they become necessary,” he said. “We have no reason to be precipitous. We want to do our best to care for all concerned.”

In the parking lot of the church the following day, lawyers for the parish and diocese argued briefly over whether it was legal for the diocese to take control of the property and other assets. The two eventually exchanged business cards and agreed to continue talking at another time.

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