Good news from the neighbors to the north of us here in Florida! A Georgia appeals court has upheld a lower court decision which says Christ Church in Savannah belongs to the National Episcopal Church.
In reading this case of The Rector, Warden, And Vestrymen of Christ Church in Savannah v. Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Georgia, Inc. et. al., it is clear that the secular courts "ain't buying what the squatters are selling." It seems that those who wish to disaffiliate with the National Church have it in their heads that they get to keep the property, prayer books, polished silver, and so forth. Trouble is, there is this little issue called "history" coupled with "church business" that keeps tripping them up. As noted in the 25-page opinion, up until 2006 Christ Church in Savannah owed its very existence to the National Church by having clergy trained in Episcopal seminaries, had a perfect attendance record at all the conventions, signed all kinds of documents and conformed to the canons of the National Church... including an implied trust called the Dennis Canon, adopted at the 1979 General Convention, which puts all church property in the hands of the National Church and its dioceses. The only thing that has changed is that a group of malcontents decided they didn't like gay people, and seized control of the building valued at about three million dollars and the endowment estimated at between $2-3 million. Those who didn't go along with the plan to merge with homophobes in Uganda have been forced to hold services elsewhere.
In reading this case of The Rector, Warden, And Vestrymen of Christ Church in Savannah v. Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Georgia, Inc. et. al., it is clear that the secular courts "ain't buying what the squatters are selling." It seems that those who wish to disaffiliate with the National Church have it in their heads that they get to keep the property, prayer books, polished silver, and so forth. Trouble is, there is this little issue called "history" coupled with "church business" that keeps tripping them up. As noted in the 25-page opinion, up until 2006 Christ Church in Savannah owed its very existence to the National Church by having clergy trained in Episcopal seminaries, had a perfect attendance record at all the conventions, signed all kinds of documents and conformed to the canons of the National Church... including an implied trust called the Dennis Canon, adopted at the 1979 General Convention, which puts all church property in the hands of the National Church and its dioceses. The only thing that has changed is that a group of malcontents decided they didn't like gay people, and seized control of the building valued at about three million dollars and the endowment estimated at between $2-3 million. Those who didn't go along with the plan to merge with homophobes in Uganda have been forced to hold services elsewhere.
You can read about the GA case in this article and the opinion at Episcopal Cafe.
Of course, those who are currently unlawfully occupying the church building in Savannah have a right to continue appealing this case. Or, they can admit defeat, and go rent a store front in an abandoned shopping plaza beginning July 18th.
Of course, those who are currently unlawfully occupying the church building in Savannah have a right to continue appealing this case. Or, they can admit defeat, and go rent a store front in an abandoned shopping plaza beginning July 18th.
To quote the house in The Amityville Horror: "Get out!!!"
4 comments:
It is good to know that the courts recognise our history, and acknowledge our ownership of our own property!
Absolutely, Susan. It is time to get those squatters out.
Peggins
Don't ya just love it. Chick A Boom, Boom, Boom!
Admittedly, I was LMAO when I read in the opinion that at least one of the arguments from the Squatters was deemed "absurd".
Post a Comment