On the 13th day of the trial of the Diocese of South Carolina vs. The Episcopal Church and its local subsidiary, The Episcopal Church in South Carolina, a director of The Historical Society of the Episcopal Church testified that the denomination has no supreme control over its dioceses or parishes, countering TEC claims to the contrary.<\/p>\n
Dr. Allen C. Guelzo, who is also a professor of history at Gettysburg College, an expert on the history of religious organizations including TEC and the author of 16 books, said that TEC\u2019s authority is \u201cprescriptive,\u201d\u009d which means the denomination can advise its dioceses but cannot order them to do anything.<\/p>\n
He also testified that TEC was formed by dioceses, including the Diocese of South Carolina, and that it did not form those dioceses. He said there was no evidence in its formation in 1789 or today that it controlled the dioceses that are in union with it. He also testified that nothing associated with TEC\u2019s formation suggests that dioceses that formed it could not leave it as voluntarily as they joined it. \u201cHistory shows that authority flows from bottom up,\u201d\u009d Guelzo said.<\/p>\n