By Kirk Petersen The South Carolina Supreme Court ruled unanimously on April 20 that some but not all of the disputed properties currently occupied by entities associated with the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) belong, instead, to the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina, affiliated with the Episcopal Church (TEC). In a 36-page decision, the court ruled that 14 of … [Read more...] about South Carolina Property Ownership Is Scrambled Again
property battles
David Booth Beers, 86, Led Property Litigation Strategy
By Kirk Petersen David Booth Beers, who for more than a decade led the Episcopal Church's litigation strategy in property disputes with departing dioceses and parishes, died April 3 after a brief illness. He was 86. St. Patrick's Episcopal Church in Washington, where Beers and his wife Peggy worshiped for more than half a century, will hold a funeral service at 3 p.m. on … [Read more...] about David Booth Beers, 86, Led Property Litigation Strategy
Top S.C. Court (Again) Hears Property Arguments
By Kirk Petersen The Supreme Court of South Carolina held yet another hearing December 8 in the nearly decade-long litigation over ownership of dozens of church properties. The case pits adversaries affiliated with the Episcopal Church (TEC) against parties affiliated with the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA). Half a billion dollars of property is at stake, including … [Read more...] about Top S.C. Court (Again) Hears Property Arguments
A Different Model for Churches Changing Hands
By Kirk Petersen In an era of bruising litigation over ownership of church properties, a prominent diocese and a church founded in 1698 are showing that amicable solutions are possible. On April 29, Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde announced that the Diocese of Washington has sold Christ Church in Accokeek, Maryland, to the congregation that worships there -- which has left the … [Read more...] about A Different Model for Churches Changing Hands
Five Candidates for Bishop Announced in S. Carolina
By Kirk Petersen The Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina, which has not had a full-time bishop diocesan since 2012, has announced a slate of five candidates to become the XV Bishop of South Carolina. The winner will inherit a diocese of 30 congregations and a protracted lawsuit over the ownership of half a billion dollars in property. The candidates, in alphabetical … [Read more...] about Five Candidates for Bishop Announced in S. Carolina
Pittsburgh Settlement Now in Effect
The Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh announces that an agreement with nine congregations of the Anglican Diocese of Pittsburgh has received the required the legal approval: The agreement affirms the congregations’ ownership and continued use of church properties to which they hold legal title, while also preserving the historic trust interest held by the Episcopal Diocese in … [Read more...] about Pittsburgh Settlement Now in Effect
High Court Denies Certiorari
The U.S. Supreme Court has denied a petition for writ of certiorari by the Diocese of South Carolina led by the Rt. Rev. Mark Lawrence. Both the Episcopal Church in South Carolina and the Diocese of South Carolina have posted responses to this step. From the Diocese of South Carolina: The Rev. Canon Jim Lewis observed, “We are disappointed the Court chose not to resolve … [Read more...] about High Court Denies Certiorari
St. James the Resurrected
By Kirk Petersen On the second Sunday of Easter 2018 — 145 Sundays after they were locked out of the building where they had set roots as a community — the people of St. James Church hosted a joyous homecoming service in Newport Beach. The altar party processed toward a rose stained-glass window framed by organ pipes — the same rose window design that on prior Sundays had … [Read more...] about St. James the Resurrected