Armstrong conviction upheld

An ecclesiastical court Monday affirmed its conviction of the Rev. Donald Armstrong, who is accused of stealing nearly $400,000 from Grace Church and St. Stephen’s Parish.

The court, representing the Episcopal Diocese of Colorado, also recommended that Armstrong be defrocked, essentially ending all ties between Armstrong and the church. The decision followed a 30-day comment period after its preliminary decision to convict Armstrong in August.

The court’s ruling is a step in the disciplinary process of the Episcopal Church. After a 30-day waiting period, Bishop Robert O’Neill will pronounce a final sentence.

Armstrong left the diocese with a majority of the Grace vestry, its directors, in March and now oversees the congregation of Grace CANA Church that is affiliated with the more conservative Convocation of Anglicans in North America.

Grace CANA officials did not return calls Monday. Armstrong has denied the allegations, and because he is now an ordained priest with CANA, the Episcopal Church has no authority over him. He did not attend the trial.

The five-member court, made up of clergy and lay church members, accused Armstrong of underreporting his income to the IRS, stealing $392,410 from the church, receiving illegal loans totaling $122,479, and encumbering the church with deeds of trust totaling $4.5 million without approval from the bishop of the Standing Committee of the Diocese.

The diocese filed a complaint with Colorado Springs police in July. Police said Monday the investigation is ongoing.