The Episcopal Church and its local supporters in Fort Worth have suffered a second defeat from the Texas Supreme Court. On August 30, 2013, the high court reversed a lower-court decision that favored TEC’s claim to all church property in the Diocese of Fort Worth, which left the denomination in 2008. Today the Court denied TEC’s subsequent motion to rehear the case which now returns to the lower court for a new hearing and summary judgment based on neutral principles of law, not deference to a hierarchical church. We praise God for this very good news.
Some speculate that TEC will now seek a review of the ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court as a further delaying tactic, but given past decisions on cases similar to this, it is highly unlikely that such a request would be granted. In recent appeals, the SCOTUS has left church property disputes to each state Supreme Court to decide. Moreover, the Texas Supreme Court will issue its mandate referring the case to the trial court, regardless of any such filing.
I am so happy and excited for The Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth.
God bless the clergy, laity, and most excellent bishop, Jack Iker!!
Many congratulations to the bishop, clergy and people of the (real) Diocese of Fort Worth!
Absolutely wonderful news for The Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth, Bishop Iker, the clergy and laity of the diocese. Back it goes to trial. That will take time …. and more money….. but they stand a very good chance of prevailing under the new conditions of neutral principles of law. The Dennis Canon dies in another state! A good thing!
While this is a wonderful victory, please keep the prayers coming as we still have to go back to the lower court, whose judge has already ruled against us once!
True Henry and we will remember you in our prayers, even from the other side of the world.
But remember there is another aspect to this: every day that you resist the liberals in TEC, you witness publicly to the truth. Many unbelievers are watching you and realising that there is more to church than just the liberal pap that turned them off in the first place. Events like this court case draw their attention back again to the issue, and cause them to think about what Christianity is really all about. May the Holy Spirit bless and guide your ministry always.