Toronto SoCo priest inhibited

The Diocese of Toronto reports:

"It was reported in The Globe and Mail on Feb. 18, 2008 that, on the previous weekend, the Church of St. Chad, Toronto, had taken the decision to put itself under the authority of the Archbishop of the Province of the Southern Cone. Other media also carried similar reports, indicating that the vote was 12 in favour, 10 opposed and 2 abstentions.

As a result of these events, the Bishop of Toronto has inhibited the Rev. Barbara Richardson, part-time priest-in-charge of St. Chad, effective February 20, 2008. This means that Ms. Richardson will be on paid leave while the Bishop conducts an investigation into these reported events.

A priest has been appointed to provide Sunday services, and pastoral care continues to be available to all parishioners. The parish has been under the oversight of a diocesan administrator (receiver-manager) for more than five years.

More information will be provided as it becomes available."