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Belly of the Beast Report 3
Please bear with and read through the following report. I realize that the details of this diary can leave one glassy eyed, but the links between denominational governing bodies, individual churches and the IRD are rarely obvious or direct. For some time I've known that the Episcopal Diocese of Albany was connected with the IRD but I was damned if I could find the concrete connection.
Yesterday I roamed through the websites of organizations that came up when I googled Diocese of Albany. Finally, after hours of mind numbing reading, the following relationship between the American Anglican Council, (USA), the Institute on Religion and Democracy (IRD), and The Anglican Communion Network (world wide parallel to the AAC) popped!! The concrete link between the Diocese of Albany and the IRD showed up in the affiliate organizations of the AAC. The IRD is listed as an AAC Affliliate Ministry on the AAC website. The Diocese of Albany is listed and linked to the AAC as an Affiliate Parish (rather than as an affiliate diocese). I'm not sure what the politics of that odd affiliation are other than the dust up that occurred when Herzog was forced to resign as an officer of the AAC.
Further investigation mined the following information about one way money is channeled to rogue religious groups. |
About Moving Money
The American Anglican Council directs the readers of its website to this link for Speak Out The front page of that website says this among other things
Since the goal of the UAF is to provide a safe mechanism for giving, there are no ties between it and any entities of the Episcopal church. To ensure that the funds stay out of the control of hostile dioceses, the UAF operates within geographical units (cities and counties), not canonical units (churches and dioceses). There are specific sub-funds for different geographical areas. For example, rather than have a fund dedicated to Christ Episcopal Church, Anywhere, Anystate, there would be a fund simply dedicated to benefiting the orthodox faith in Anywhere, Anystate. Each fund has a designated account representative who works closely with the UAF and the orthodox Anglicans within the geographical area to determine when the funds should be disbursed, and for what project.
Members of the board have not sought publicity, preferring instead to work relationally, and share the message through word of mouth. They know that the word will spread as more people and communities in hostile areas come under attack. However, orthodox Anglicans need to know that they have options, and that experienced financial and legal experts have been creating a mechanism to find avenues for stewardship.
Since one of the goals is to ensure that funds supporting orthodox Anglicanism are not at risk of being accessed by people or entities that are antagonistic, Donnelly says, we don't believe that [rectors and vicars] should direct their parishioners or donors to give funds to this fund. And neither do we think that their elected lay leadership, or vestries should direct that. Donations to the UAF should be purely voluntary. So the person who influences the funds, the designated account representative, is someone not connected to the day-to-day management, but respected in the broader community. Since there are no ties with the Episcopal church, the money will only be used for purposes that promote the orthodox faith.
The UAF, since it works within very specific, individualized situations, allows for much flexibility. Some accounts may direct the money towards a building project, while others may be in place simply so a donor can get a tax-deduction before the end of the year. Generally, its purpose is not to provide money for operating expenses. As Tom Donnelly says, we're not paying the heat and light bills. Instead, UAF funds are designed to be used as reserve funds, or funds for capital campaigns. The individuals in the area, working through the designated account representative, decide what their specific needs are.
CONTACT for giving (or setting up similar funds:)
If you would like more information on the UAF, please contact Tom Donnelly at 202-626-8500 or tdonnelly@jeffersongr.com.
So a remaining question is, if (or how) are diocesan funds moved.
If you managed to read all the way through this diary without falling asleep, I highly suggest that you use a similar techniques for finding concrete connection between questionable groups in your own denomination and the friendly IRD.
Belly of the Beast Report 3 | 14 comments (14 topical, 0 hidden)
Belly of the Beast Report 3 | 14 comments (14 topical, 0 hidden)
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