[redgolum]

In Missouri law, it all depends on how the church property was incorporated. Depending on if the parish was set up as a part of the local Archdiocese Roman Catholic corporation, or as a stand alone corporation, the case could go either way.

I suspect that the actual charter states the parish is part of the Roman Catholic church, which would probably mean that the Archbishop would win.

[sinkspur]

I suspect that the actual charter states the parish is part of the Roman Catholic church, which would probably mean that the Archbishop would win.

Oh, I don't doubt that. Now, however, Burke has ruptured the relationship with the parish, and will have to take them to court anyway.

He may "win," but what will he have won?

[thor76]

Actually, I thought that their corporate structure was in some ways similar to that of an Episcopal church: the parish is a seperate corporation, with a lay board. The parish corporation defines itself as Catholic (or Episcopalian in my example), and affiliates with the local diocese as a member parish (accepting the tenets of the faith, etc., and the authority of the Diocesan bishop), yet retains control of its property & assets.