From Ft. Worth
Bishop Jack Iker said he and other area Episcopalians who left the national church will appeal a judge's decision ordering his group to give up all property of the 24-county Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth.
On Friday, Judge John Chupp of the 141st District Court told Iker's group to "surrender all Diocesan property as well as control of the Diocese Corporation" to local Episcopalians who remained loyal to the U.S. Episcopal Church. It also told those in Iker's group "not to hold themselves out as leaders of the Diocese."
"We are obviously disappointed by Judge Chupp's ruling and see it as fundamentally flawed," Iker said in a statement issued Saturday. "We are confident that the Court of Appeals will carefully consider our appeal and will rule in accordance to neutral principles of law as practiced in the State of Texas.
"In the meantime, we will continue to focus on mission and outreach in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, while praying for the judges who will take our appeal. While we disagree with the judge's ruling, we offer our sincere appreciation for the time and study he has given the case."
Iker's group said Chupp's ruling will be immediately appealed to the 2nd Court of Appeals in Fort Worth. In a statement, the group said: "We believe that the final decision, whenever it is signed by Judge Chupp ...will not be sustained on appeal."
More here-
Read more: http://www.star-telegram.com/2011/01/22/2789476/bishop-iker-to-appeal-order-to.html#ixzz1BtM028KR
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