Conflict escalates between diocese, dissident pastor

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/local/article/0,1299,DRMN_15_5450039,00.html
[Rocky Mountain News] 29 Mar 2007--An investigation by the Episcopal Diocese of Colorado into accusations of "financial wrongdoing" by the Rev. Don Armstrong of Grace and St. Stephen's parish alleges the theft and misuse of hundreds of thousands of dollars in church money over about 10 years, the bishop said.

The allegations are listed in a March 27 letter to parishioners of the 2,000-member Colorado Springs church from Bishop Rob O'Neill.

Armstrong could not be reached for comment. On Monday, he explained to the Rocky Mountain News in broad terms the allegations and denied wrongdoing.

The bishop's letter was sent a day after Armstrong and nine of the parish's 11-member governing board voted to secede from the Episcopal Diocese of Colorado and from the national church as well.

At the same time, Armstrong took back control of the parish, which he lost in December when O'Neill launched an investigation into what the diocese called "misapplied funds."

According to O'Neill's letter, an attorney hired by a diocesan committee reviewed six volumes of documents, evaluated a forensic accounting firm's report and conducted about 45 interviews. The report was delivered to the committee the same day leaders of the church seceded.