On April 20, the state\u2019s top court ordered that 14 of the 29 congregations that split from the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina were to hand over the properties to the Episcopal Church. It appeared that the court\u2019s decision put an end to a decadelong legal battle over the ownership of dozens of church properties valued at roughly $200 million.<\/p>\n
But in a stunning development Tuesday, the state\u2019s top court did not deny petitions for rehearing submitted by seven of those churches. Instead, the court requested that the Episcopal Church respond by June 20 to the arguments made by the seven parishes.<\/p>\n
The court\u2019s order gives hope to some of the breakaway parishes, which fall within the Anglican Diocese of South Carolina umbrella, that they could, in fact, retain their valuable religious facilities.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are encouraged by the recent development from the South Carolina Supreme Court and are buoyed by the hope that seven more of our parishes might keep their properties,\u201d said Bishop Chip Edgar of the Anglican Diocese. \u201cBut in all these legal matters, we are keeping our eyes focused on our Lord Jesus and the work he has called us to \u2014 to glorify God in worship and in our lives, to proclaim his name, to build up the church, and to love our neighbors as Christ loves us.\u201d<\/p>\n
Read it all<\/a>.<\/p>\n Following a recent order by the S.C. Supreme Court, some congregations that broke away from the Episcopal Church are optimistic they could end up keeping their properties after all.https:\/\/t.co\/ChwBx95dEB<\/a><\/p>\n — The Post and Courier (@postandcourier) June 9, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n \n