From Ft. Worth-The Texas Supreme Court will decide who owns 52 Fort Worth-area church properties valued at more than $100 million in one of the largest church property disputes in state and U.S. history.
The disagreement erupted about five years ago after the Fort Worth Episcopal Diocese broke away from the national church in protest of the consecration of a gay bishop, ordination of women and other policies it perceived as too liberal.
The Fort Worth Diocese said it owned the churches and other properties, but in 2009 the national church sued, arguing the breakaway group could not take the buildings and land.
Attorneys believe the Supreme Court’s decision could determine how Texas handles similar disputes, cases that often require a balance between the constitutional guarantee of freedom of religion and state laws on property rights and nonprofits.
“It’s not the amount of money that makes the case important,” said Scott Brister, an attorney for the Fort Worth Diocese.
The Fort Worth Diocese is led by conservative Bishop Jack Iker. When he led his group’s split, Iker said his diocese held the deeds to all church properties, including the 48 congregations that joined him and the eight that remained loyal to the national church.
More here-
http://www.dallasnews.com/news/religion/20121225-land-battle-between-episcopal-church-fort-worth-diocese-headed-to-texas-supreme-court.ece
No comments:
Post a Comment