Showdown on Palm Sunday at parish pulpit

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/local/article/0,1299,DRMN_15_5447016,00.html

[Rocky Mountain News] 28 Mar 2007--The Episcopal Diocese of Colorado is threatening to sue the Rev. Don Armstrong and his parish's governing board if they don't relinquish control of one of the largest and most venerable churches, Grace and St. Stephen's in Colorado Springs.

The showdown looms on Palm Sunday as Episcopal Bishop Rob O'Neill or a representative and Armstrong, his longtime nemesis, both plan to take control of the parish pulpit at the 8 a.m., 9 a.m., and 11 a.m. services.

By then, O'Neill, who may or may not be there himself, intends to have a new priest and a new vestry board in place at the 2,000-member church, communications director Beckett Stokes said Tuesday.

The gauntlet was thrown Monday when Armstrong announced he is seceding from The Episcopal Church and taking with him the parish he has led for 20 years.