Mary E. Kostel has been named special counsel to the Presiding Bishop for property litigation and discipline, according to an announcement by the Rev. Canon Charles Robertson of the Presiding Bishop’s office.
Mary E. Kostel has been named special counsel to the Presiding Bishop for property litigation and discipline, according to an announcement by the Rev. Canon Charles Robertson of the Presiding Bishop’s office.
Her work load promises to be heavy.
I have often refered to TEC as a garden club. I must stop doing so as this is clearly nothing that a garden club would do.
My appologies to garden clubs everywhere.
Don
One might guess that the numerous canonical and civil law questions brought about by the departures of 4 entire dioceses, as well as various parishes, are clobbering 815, which has not been a law firm.
Indeed, there are so many potential issues and questions that one would need the resources of an entire law firm. The PB and her minions are walking in troubled waters (or deep doo-doo). I’m not a lawyer, but it sure seems that some of the actions taken by 815 and some diocesan bishops might well open them to civil lawsuits as well as criminal prosecution. I would guess that they are starting to realize this. A. S. Haley’s “Machiavelli Ritornato” analysis is very thought-provoking.
See:
http://accurmudgeon.blogspot.com/2009/02/machiavelli-ritornato.html
In a procession, what’s the order for the special counsel? Does she come in before, after, or just beside the Presiding Bishop? I believe these things are decided by rank of importance.
Is Mr. Beers now the High Inquisitor?
Why appoint a special counsel, isn’t her Chancellor David Booth Beers competent enough? Or does she just need someone who is more focused on things from the litigation point of view. It is very interesting that once again the firm of Goodwin Proctor has been chosen to represent the TEC PB – guess David Booth Beers wants to keep the money in his firm.
Does any one have an idea how much this costs? I was thinking well into the 7 figures. I am sure that she will need one or two legal assistants and perhaps a secretary to support her. (Isn’t that right?)
#4. Directly behind the thurifer, who has only recently been taught how to do 360’s in the aisle.
[i]Directly behind the thurifer, who has only recently been taught how to do 360’s in the aisle[/i]
Ralph,
I just had an amusing image of a thurifer doing cartwheels down the aisle!
When I was trained, I was shown how to swing the thurible in a circle without hitting anyone or spilling the incense. What I never mastered was the ‘figure 8’ maneuver.
Gotta take that Beers with a chaser of Kostel takeovers.
#9, I had an amusing image of a novice thurifer whacking a lawyer up-side the head, knocking said lawyer senseless (if one could discern that) in response to the question of where to place a member of that noble profession in an episcopal procession. Putting a tiny bit of sulfur in the thurible might also be useful, since demons don’t like to be reminded of home.
As for the figure 8’s (and in a feeble attempt to return to the real topic) I would guess, #7, that the legal expenses for all parties involved will reach into 8 figures before the dust settles. Indeed, #6, someone does need to follow the money trail. The attorneys may well be the only ones to benefit.
We should pray for Attorney Kostel. The path that she will be pursuing will not be spiritually edifying.
#6, I suspect DBB is too busy, needs help with all the litigation coming down the pike. a sign of the times, and a not so good one at that…..
I would love to know if Ms Kostel -and for that matter Chancellor Beers – have any formal training in Anglican Canon Law.
She needs an appropriate ecclesiastical title, such as “Canon Litigator to the Presiding Bishop.”
Doesn’t every cathedral already have a Verger?
My 8 year old son learned about the civil war at school. When he came home he was talking about it and then, playing with the words, asked “I wonder what a civilized war would look like?” And while we were pondering that he answered himself, saying, “I bet it’s when you have lawyers with briefcases.” Funny at the time, but this “civilized war” gets more uncivil each day.
[i] I would love to know if Ms Kostel—and for that matter Chancellor Beers—have any formal training in Anglican Canon Law [/i]
Why get training when you can make it up to suit the expediencies of the moment?
PS to #17: Beers’ legal specialty is toxic tort litigation. I kid you not.
Your church offerings at work.
I’m glad to see that the Presiding Bishop is putting “gracious restraint” into practice so soon after the Primates’ meeting!
Hopper [#21]: If I may ask, are you really going to give ECUSA that much money?
With even $1 million, you could do so much good in other ways. That’s enough, for example, to enable church-sponsored orphanages to care for 7,000 African AIDS orphans for 15 years each.
Hopper: I have been distressed to watch the stock market wreak havoc with my 401K, but if it’s dragging down your net worth, along with TEC’s portfolio, there’s a silver lining. Thanks for cheering me up.