Since 2007, the Episcopal Church’s Diocese of Georgia, and its former congregation at Christ Church have been embroiled in a legal dispute over the ownership of the church property, which includes the church building, an adjacent parking lot and two separate buildings located in the downtown historic district.
The congregation, which dates to 1733, acquired three other properties in the 1900s. County records estimate their combined value at over $2.7 million.
A Chatham County judge has ruled in favor of the Episcopal Church. But, the lawsuit is pending the outcome of Christ Church’s August appeal to the state Supreme Court.
For now, the charities operating on the property believe they’ll be able to continue their mission uninterrupted and free of charge.
Does anyone know what’s the status of the appeal?
According to the Supreme Court Docket, it will be argued in November.
I realize that I am “armchair quarterbacking” but, if TEC is such a heirarchal organization, why can’t they get rid of Bennison in PA? It seems that TEC wants to play things both ways. If they were in fact heirarchal, which under existing canons they are not, there wouldn’t be any problem, and they could dictate everything. If the Dennis Canon is judged in light of property law in most states, TEC doesn’t have a chance to keep (steal) parishes properties.
Yes, drummie, because you’d certainly applaud TEC for ignoring its rules about statutes of limitations and removing Bennison anyway, right? After all, why pay attention to rules anyway when they get in the way of what’s best?
I believe the November docket date is not official and that the application for certiorari is still pending. The delay in ruling on it can mean anything you want.