Judge Ortbal further rejected the evidence of other court decisions as having proven that the Episcopal Church was \u201chierarchical as a matter of law.”<\/p>\n
The national church had cited \u201cnumerous cases\u201d\u009d which they \u201cassert mandate acceptance of their position in this case and granting of their motion for summary judgment. The court has reviewed the cases, but does not find it is bound by them,\u201d\u009d the judge said.<\/p>\n
He further stated that he found the \u201ccases distinguishable on different levels and does not find them conclusively persuasive as to the record before it. For example, the vast majority of the cases involve disputes between local parishes and dioceses and\/or the national church. These cases appear very fact driven and many involved concessions or stipulations as to matters which are disputed on this record. Many involve specific religious corporation and\/or other state statutes not applicable in the present case.\u201d\u009d<\/p>\n