FW Diocese and TEC File Suit

The litigation has commenced. The Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth and the National Church have sued Bishop Iker and other former diocesan leaders in state district court. From the FWST:

Hoping to reclaim several pieces of church property and millions of dollars in endowed funds, the national Episcopal Church has sued a local group that split from the church in November.

The lawsuit, filed late Tuesday in Tarrant County court, follows months of negotiations after a bitter split between the two groups over what the local group, led by Bishop Jack Iker, considers the national church’s abandonment of orthodox principles.

[…]

The suit also asks for exclusive use of the name, the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth, which is being used both by Iker’s group and by a reorganized diocese that is loyal to the national church.

You can view a copy of the petition here(pdf). The FW Diocese has issued a press release that is posted on the diocesan website. Here’s an excerpt:

On Tuesday, April 14, 2009, the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth, the Corporation of the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth and the Episcopal Church filed suit in the 141st District Court of Tarrant County, Texas in part to recover property and assets of the Episcopal Church. The defendants are former members of the corporation’s board and the former bishop of the diocese, all of whom have left the Episcopal Church.

[…]

This lawsuit is necessary because of actions and decisions of these former diocesan leaders that sought to alienate property and assets of the Episcopal Church and deprived Episcopalians of their use and benefit. Despite courteous demand, the defendants and others continue to use the name and seal of the Diocese and maintain possession and control over diocesan property, including the Diocesan Center, Camp Crucis in Hood County, and significant funds, including endowed funds given for the use of the Episcopal Church.

The Episcopal Church is a party to this litigation and has been very supportive of local efforts to maintain continuity of worship, ministry and mission by and for Episcopalians in North Texas. The Rt. Rev. Edwin F. Gulick Jr., provisional bishop, supports the litigation, as does the Standing Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth, and the Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori, presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church.

I haven’t had a chance to review the petition yet. I hope to do so soon and will likely have some comments in the not too distant future. It’s truly sad that it has come to this, but the continuing diocese really has no choice.