Proposed Texas Law Would Aid Break-Away Congregations In Property Fights

Texas state Rep. Byron Cook has introduced into the Texas legislature a bill that would help congregations that break away from their parent church claim ownership of local church property. Proposed H.B. 729 provides that in a factional separation in an hierarchical religious organization, a court can order division of local church property "in a manner that the court considers just and right." Thursday's Dallas Morning News reports that the bill was introduced at the urging of the 300-member St. John's Episcopal Church in Corsicana (TX). The congregation is satisfied with the leadership of the current Episcopal Bishop of Dallas, but would consider breaking away if he were succeeded by a more liberal bishop. A provision adopted by the Episcopal Church USA in 1979 provides that local church properties are held in trust for the denomination and its dioceses, even though church buildings, like St. John's 100-year old sanctuary, are often paid for by funds raised from the local congregation. Episcopal News Service on Friday reported on its interview with St. John's rector, Rev. Canon Ed Monk, about the proposal.