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hrmjustin

(71,265 posts) Wed Apr 16, 2014, 05:11 PM Apr 2014

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

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Episcopal Church and the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin, they “ceased to be the directors and officers of, and could no longer represent or otherwise act on behalf of the parish corporation, and as a result had no authority to act on behalf of the parish corporation,” according to the decision.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/

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San Joaquin: Court rules St. John’s belongs to the Episcopal Church (Original Post) hrmjustin Apr 2014 OP

I don't know any details goldent Apr 2014 #1

Thank heaven wryter2000 Apr 2014 #2

goldent

(1,582 posts)

1. I don't know any details

Reply to hrmjustin (Original post)

Thu Apr 17, 2014, 12:03 AM

Apr 2014

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

(46,051 posts)

2. Thank heaven

Reply to hrmjustin (Original post)

Thu Apr 17, 2014, 11:14 AM

Apr 2014

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.

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