Posted on 08/16/2005 7:37:25 AM PDT by sionnsar
The St. James case mentioned Friday came to a quick conclusion. And the Diocese of L. A. got spanked and spanked good as we say here in Texas.
That the judge clearly stated basic Constitutional rights and not just arcane legal doctrine does not bode well for other cases in which dioceses, presbyteries, and the like try to grab the property of congregations they’ve alienated. It’s a California case, but the principles behind the strong ruling could have implications far beyond California.
This is going to cost the Diocese of L. A. Hopefully, many mainline denomination leaders will look at this decision and think twice about going after the property of churches that are compelled to break away.
And, hopefully, those who do not take heed will get spanked, too. This ruling seems to make that more likely.
Traditional Anglican ping, continued in memory of its founder Arlin Adams. FWIW, I think the Diocese aquiesced in this lawsuit and decision, because the absolute LAST thing it wants is to have to take over parishes, then see Sunday services with 10% of former attendance, AND have to pick up the $$$ burden of maintaining them..( one can't really take over, then close, a parish, after all)..so now this gives them a rationale for standing down..this soundsa like someone in the disocese can read a spreadsheet, and has some common sense..
Why not? Open it up the next day with a pagan lesbian voodoo priestess of the New Age? Sort of like in Connecticut.
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