Local Anglican parishes including Parkes will be asked to contribute to a special fund to prepare for court action against the Commonwealth Bank.
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In a press release yesterday, Bathurst Diocese Bishop Ian Palmer expressed his thanks after about 250 people attended a meeting he called last Saturday to discuss matters of Diocesan importance.
“Almost every parish in the geographically large diocese was represented including clergy and leading lay people,” Bishop Palmer said.
“Following morning prayer I was assisted by General Manager Graham Higham in presenting a comprehensive history of the financial situation currently being faced by the diocese.
“We also presented details of ways the difficulties have been handled to date, including the current legal matter with the Commonwealth Bank of Australia.
“On Saturday we placed a proposal to the parishes in the diocese to contribute towards a fund to enable the diocese to defend these actions so that we can preserve the resources that have been given by many people for the benefit of our communities and develop the church’s ministry across the central west of New South Wales.” he explained.
“Each parish has been allocated an amount of money to raise on a pro rata basis and it will be their decision as to how they raise that amount of money.
“The ministry of the church is valued by the wider community and is especially important at times of bereavements, baptisms, marriage, in sickness and in nurturing and supporting people through welfare, community and educational activities.
“Not only are these services valued, but the church is part of the glue that holds our scattered communities together.”
Bishop Palmer said he was pleased with the involvement of the church community who attended the meeting and raised many salient points with great courtesy and respect.
Parish councils across the diocese have been advised that Bishop Palmer and Diocesan Archdeacon Frank Hetherington are available to discuss these matters with them.
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The Commonwealth Bank has launched its legal bid to recoup $25m dollars in debts.
The bank has sent in receivers to liquidate the Bathurst Diocese's Anglican Development Fund.
The receivers have sold off the available assets and are now resorting to court action to pursue the fund's office bearers.
The court battle could cost $1.5m.
The matter returns to court next month with a 15-day hearing set down for April next year.