Posts from October 2009

Posts from October 2009

Georgia Court rules for The Episcopal Church regarding Christ Church Savannah

On Thursday, October 27, 2009 a trial court in Savannah, Georgia entered a summary judgment holding that, where the clergy and a majority of the parishioners left The Episcopal Church to join another church, The Episcopal Church and its Diocese of Georgia have a trust interest in the parish property. Confirming that the Dennis Canon I.7.4 was validly adopted and imposes a trust interest on the parish property, the court found “that the church property reverts to the control of…

Texas court in San Angelo decides in favor of the Episcopal Diocese of Northwest Texas

A Texas court in San Angelo entered a final judgment on October 8, 2009 in favor of the Episcopal Diocese of Northwest Texas and against former leaders of a parish who tried to remove the parish from the Episcopal Church and its Diocese. The 51st District Court of Tom Green County, Texas declared that the property of Good Shepherd Episcopal Church was held in trust for the Episcopal Church and the Diocese and that the continuing parish “is identified and…

U.S. Supreme Court declines to review California property decision

By Mary Frances Schjonberg, October 05, 2009 [Episcopal News Service] The U.S. Supreme Court October 5 refused to grant a petition of review from St. James Anglican Church in Newport Beach, which broke away from the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles. The court’s order came on the opening day of its fall term and was made public without comment in a 91-page list of procedural decisions it has made affecting the agenda for the term. The breakaway congregation in June…

Information on hearing before Judge John Chupp on October 2

The Hon. John P. Chupp, judge of the 141st District Court of Tarrant County, Texas on Friday Oct. 2, 2009, granted the request of attorneys for former Bishop Iker and others who left the Episcopal Church [defendants] for a continuance in the hearing on the motion by the Episcopal Church, the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth and the Corporation of the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth [plaintiffs] for a partial summary judgment. The hearing is now scheduled for 9 a.m.…