Four of the Episcopal Church’s key property dispute cases have moved to the state and U.S. Supreme Courts for review.
Briefings have been filed in the Episcopal v. Anglican Dioceses of Fort Worth cases in the Texas Supreme Court, while the breakaway congregations in Northern Virginia have asked the Virginia Supreme Court to review the lower court’s ruling giving the diocese custody of the parish properties.
The breakaway congregations in Christ Church v. Diocese of Georgia and Bishop Seabury Church v. Diocese of Connecticut have filed writs of certiorari with the U.S. Supreme Court. The Supreme Court has also been asked to review a third property dispute, Timberridge Presbyterian Church v. the Presbytery of Greater Atlanta, that addresses the same legal issues.
They should look at the descrimination caused by the disaffiliation stipulation in some property settlements also.
Hmmm, four out of nine must grant cert.
Its much the same here in Australia – three of the seven judges hear the application, and if you can win over two of the three, you get special leave and are off to Canberra. Not many get it, because the High Court can only hear so many cases per year. Same for USSC.
Pray for the churches, and bring about as much public pressure as you can, both in USA and overseas. Judges say they are not influenced by public opinion, but they always are.