“It’s just harassment of defendants, that’s all it is,” Jim Oakes, vice chair of the Anglican District of Virginia, the umbrella group for the churches, said of the most recent motion. “It’s frankly intimidating to soccer moms and people who aren’t used to encountering our legal system.”
Patrick Getlein, a spokesman for the diocese, calls the motion to name the congregates “a procedural matter.” When the lawsuit was first filed, the names of some of the vestry members were unknown. Hence, the diocese left them as “John Doe” and “Jane Roe.”
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UPDATE:
The official response of the Anglican Diocese of Virginia may be found here.
Well, we certainly want to make sure that everybody is included in the business of the Church.
RGEaton
“It’s frankly intimidating to soccer moms and people who aren’t used to encountering our legal system.â€
It seems to me that this has been TECs strategy from day one. I can’t imagine that the old vestry members were not informed that this would happen. It is a shame to name the vestry, but it works in some states. I believe that there are cases in NY wgere the vestry was removed from the suit
Legally the spokesman is probably correct.
Morally this is over the top. The PB should know this.
I agree with Eugene, although this is an action by the DioVa, so it’s Peter James Lee, an attorney, who should know better.
Frankly, I’d love it if the DioVa named all of us.
It is a shame to name the vestry, but it works in some states.
So if it works, that erases the shame of it?
Can the congregants sue their bishops under a class action lawsuit?
Any lawyers out there?
So if it works, that erases the shame of it?
Yes.
Is not intimidation one of the grounds for complaints under RICO?
If the laws does not allow suits against volunteers, then this would appear to be abuse of process, for which punitive damages could be claimed. That is probably what should be used to stop these sort of intimidating tactics.
RE: #&
There is no good and evil, only power and those with the courage to use it. — Voldemort
“How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.” Is that the right line? If not, maybe it should be. What could have been done is now no longer possible: reconciliation.
My Chancellor is called, Jesus, and He is more interested in my soul than in my property. Since my Chancellor does not own property or represent property owners as such, would He be allowed at the table for the discussion of my soul’s welfare.
#9 – The law allows suits against volunteers for willful misconduct, such as alienation of property. Note that the Diocese is not seeking any damages from the vestry. See the DioVa website. http://www.thediocese.net/News_services/pressroom/newsrelease31.html
It IS intimidation……..intended or not!