A new lawsuit filed by The Episcopal Church (TEC) asks a federal court to effectively nullify a South Carolina Circuit Court order by granting a splinter group, formerly associated with the Diocese of South Carolina, control over the Diocese\u2019s identity and properties.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe national church\u2019s suit is an apparent effort to move a state property rights case to a court that might support the denomination\u2019s seizure of local assets,\u201d\u009d said the Rev. Jim Lewis, Canon to Bishop Lawrence. \u201cIt seems to be more focused on undermining the state court\u2019s authority and prolonging the litigation than addressing the underlying issue.\u201d\u009d<\/p>\n
The suit asks a federal court to prohibit Bishop Lawrence from doing what a South Carolina judge has ordered that only he can do: use the diocese\u2019s names and symbols.<\/p>\n