AUSTRALIA
The Advertiser
18sep05
THE Anglican Church has rejected the sale of one of its most valuable possessions, Bishop's Court.
In an effort to find funds, Anglican Church officials proposed the North Adelaide mansion, worth several million dollars, be sold.
The mansion has been the traditional home of the Anglican archbishop, but Archbishop-elect Jeffrey Driver had indicated he would abide by the synod's decision.
About 300 clergy and parishioners forming the Adelaide Diocese Synod voted on the sale at St Peter's College.
The synod's final vote was clergy 28-27 for and laity 78-66 against. The total vote was 105-94 against the sale.
Debate over the sale and how the proceeds should be spent raged for several hours.
Under current arrangements, proceeds of the sale would automatically remain in a trust for costs associated with the archbishop.
But synod members raised the question of whether proceeds could also be put towards compensation for victims of sexual abuse within the church.