Bishop Iker and the people of the diocese of Fort Worth win case.
Today the Hon. John P. Chupp signed his Final Judgment concerning the Motions for Partial Summary Judgment filed last December by the TEC-loyal plaintiffs and the defendant Diocese, Parishes, and Corporation, as well as Motions for Partial Summary Judgment concerning the TEC-loyal All Saints’ Episcopal Church (Fort Worth) filed by these same parties on May 6. In doing so, the 141st District Court affirmed and combined its orders of March 2 and June 10 [see the entries below], which upheld the Diocese’s right to dissociate from TEC and for the Corporation to retain its property ”“ including All Saints’ parish property transferred from the Dallas Diocese ”“ and elected leadership.
Today’s judgment brings to a close a process started on Aug. 30, 2013, when the Supreme Court of Texas ordered that the case, initially decided using a “deference” approach, return to the trial court and that the court reconsider the parties’ claims, applying the Neutral Principles approach instead.
The trial court’s ruling now becomes appealable, and the TEC-affiliated plaintiffs have indicated their intention to ask the Second Court of Appeals for a review. In early August the court is expected to issue an order stating terms that will allow the TEC-affiliated congregation of All Saints’, Fort Worth, to remain in the property it now occupies during the duration of the appeal.
We give thanks for our many blessings, for God’s work among us, and for the Hope of Salvation that is within us. We are thankful, too, for the patient endurance of all those who have prayed and labored for this day, especially our legal team, their associates, and their families.
yay! PTL!
They say another appeal is expected, although not likely to be successful, so it may take most of another year for this to be finally put to bed.
I am very glad that this judgement has been for Bishop Iker and the real diocese of Ft. Worth. It is no surprise that TEC is appealing. That is their strategy. I wonder if they will take this all the way to the Supreme Court of Texas. If they do, is TEC prepared for another beating? That could be devastating if the SC Supreme Court in Sept. rules in favor of the diocese and against the TEC rump group.
I noticed in the supsedas order that the TEC group has to put up a $100,000 bond and fully insure and maintain the properties while the issue is on appeal.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but didn’t Iker’s group also have to pay rent into an escrow account for a period of time?