The Litigation Lottery for the parishes of the Anglican Diocese of San Joaquin continues in the courts of California. I mentioned in an earlier post that as a result of a poorly reasoned decision by a trial court judge in Bakersfield, which granted summary judgment to Bishop Talton’s rump diocese, two parishes in Kern County had decided to move out of their church buildings rather than carry the fight on to the appellate level — even though the decision was so obviously wrong.
Now comes another trial court decision — based on exactly the same underlying facts — which denies summary judgment to Bishop Talton and his diocese. The Superior Court of Tulare County ruled on Tuesday of this week that there were disputed issues of fact remaining with regard to the ability of St. John’s in Porterville to disaffiliate from ECUSA.
I appreciate these legal updates and the ironies of court decisions, but am also thirsty for news on the Diocese of Quincy as trial was to have begun this past week, according to his curmudgeonly blog. I have seen nothing on this anywhere else but there.
I am gratified that there is now news on the Diocese of Quincy trial at the Curmudgeon’s site. I hope that in later posts he indicates whether the case is presented before a judge or whether a jury will be involved.
[blockquote] “…two parishes in Kern County had decided to move out of their church buildings rather than carry the fight on to the appellate level …” [/blockquote]
Each parish has to make its own decision as to how long it can persist with litigation, which is a traumatic experience for anyone who takes part. I am grateful for the courage and persistence in doing good of the faithful Anglicans in Dio San Joaquin. Whether they keep their properties or not, I am sure the Lord will bless them as they continue to witness, grow and plant new churches.