South Carolina Anglicans Welcome Court Order in Episcopal Property Dispute
by Jeffrey Walton, Juicy Ecumenism:
Parishes in the Anglican Diocese of South Carolina received welcome news today in their ongoing court battle with the Episcopal Church.
Circuit Court Judge Edgar W. Dickson entered an order this morning finding that no parish acceded to the church’s Dennis Canon – a denominational rule dating from 1979 that all property is held in trust for the Episcopal Church. If the judge’s order is ultimately upheld by the South Carolina Supreme Court, it would mean that trustees from 29 local parishes – not the national church – hold title to the disputed properties.
In response to the ruling, the Rt. Rev. Mark J. Lawrence, bishop of the Anglican Diocese of South Carolina expressed his gratitude in a diocesan press release. “We give thanks for this ruling. It is a day to rejoice. It is a day to move forward in Christ’s mission to the world. Thanks be to God.”
“This is the ruling for which we have been praying,” wrote Chancellor Ben A. Hagood, Jr. and Chancellor Emeritus W. Foster Gaillard of St. Philip’s Church in Charleston, one of the churches involved in the litigation. “For today’s ruling, we give thanks to God.”
Representatives of the Episcopal Church described themselves as “understandably disappointed,” and expressed hope that the “South Carolina Supreme Court will hear the matter promptly and correct any errors that exist in today’s order.”
“This is not a final decision; it is yet another step on a long journey to full reconciliation within our Diocese,” wrote Episcopal Diocesan Chancellor Thomas S. Tisdale, Jr.
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