Suit Filed in Texas State Court for Fort Worth Property

Posted on: April 15, 2009

The Episcopal Church and Episcopal leaders who have reorganized an Episcopal diocese in the Fort Worth, Texas, area, filed suit in state court April 14, seeking to recover all real and personal property, including funds and endowments, now claimed by another group with the same name.

That organization constitutes a majority of the former Episcopal diocese which voted to amend its bylaws to leave The Episcopal Church and affiliate with the Anglican Church of the Southern Cone on a temporary and emergency basis at its annual convention in November.

“We feel sorrow that the former diocesan leaders took such actions that led us to this time, said the Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori, Presiding Bishop, in a statement to the media. “However, this is a necessary step in order for the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth, comprised of Episcopalians of the full theological spectrum, to continue its gospel work in Texas.”

The Rt. Rev. Jack L. Iker, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth in the Southern Cone, was in London for a meeting with international Anglican leaders at the time of the announcement. Later, he corresponded with the clergy of his diocese through an e-mail.

“We are neither surprised nor alarmed by the lawsuit brought against the diocese,” Bishop Iker said. “We are confident that we followed the proper legislative process in amending our Constitution and Canons and are prepared to make our case in court if necessary.”

This article comes from The Living Church Foundation
http://www.livingchurch.org/

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