Orthodox bishop can seize church assets, says Ontario Court

“The Ontario Court of Appeal has ruled on a rancorous church dispute in Ottawa, saying a Russian Orthodox bishop in Canada has every right to seize the assets of a dissident parish to prevent it from defecting,” reports The National Post. “The court’s ruling means the renegade parishioners — about 100 Ottawa residents — have no place to worship until they pledge allegiance to the bishop.” Members of the Protection of the Holy Virgin Memorial Church in Ottawa had voted to leave their denomination, the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, and rejoin the Moscow Patriarchate. Tony Jozwiak, a member of the church, says he and the others can’t understand why the courts won’t give them access to their own parish funds. “I have been in Canada since 1950, and my belief was that we always had freedom of choice and religion,” he is quoted as saying. “If the majority of people wish to return to the mother church in Russia, we ought to be able to do so.”