San Joaquin: Court rules St. John’s belongs to the Episcopal Church

[hrmjustin]

By Pat McCaughan

[Episcopal News Service] A California Superior Court has ruled that the 160-year-old landmark St. John the Evangelist Church in downtown Stockton, California, is to be used for the mission of the Episcopal Church.

In issuing the April 2 ruling, Stockton Superior Court Judge Roger Ross granted the Diocese of San Joaquin‘s motion for summary judgment, agreeing with previous court rulings that “all the parish assets and parish premises are held for the ministry and mission of the church and the diocese” and the wider church.

Once the individuals of St. John’s former vestry left the Episcopal Church and the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin, they “ceased to be the directors and officers of, and could no longer represent or otherwise act on behalf of the parish corporation, and as a result had no authority to act on behalf of the parish corporation,” according to the decision.

http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/2014/04/14/san-joaquin-court-rules-st-johns-belongs-to-the-episcopal-church/

[goldent]

1. I don't know any details

but on the surface, this seems like an obvious decision. I think when you walk away from a Church you do so figuratively and literally - you don't bring the physical Church with you.

[wryter2000]

2. Thank heaven

I hope all church properties are returned from the break-away parishes. You can leave, if you want, but you can't take the buildings and assets with you.