SC Trial Judge Decides Church's Dispute With Diocese

In Charleston, South Carolina Monday, a state Circuit Court (trial level) judge handed down a decision in a dispute between the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina and All Saints Church of Pawley's Island that broke away from the diocese in a dispute over the ordination of gay bishops. The Charleston Post and Courier reports Judge Thomas W. Cooper, Jr. ruled that All Saints Church for now could continue to occupy the 60 acres of land on which its building sits. However, he said, ownership will ultimately have to be decided in probate court. That court will have to interpret a 1745 charitable trust that set aside the land for the Church of England. Judge Cooper ruled, on the other hand, that the Diocese holds rights to the name All Saints Parish Waccamaw, and to the cash and assets still held by the breakaway church. Appeals are expected.