Dio San Diego Press Release on St. John's Fallbrook Decision

Contact: Hannah Miller                                                            FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE        

Office: 619-291-5947

Mobile: 619-200-5036

Email: hmiller@edsd.org

 

March 13, 2009

 

 

On Wednesday, March 11, the California Supreme Court dismissed the petition for review that had been filed by the former members of St. John's Episcopal Church in Fallbrook. The Supreme Court remanded the case with instructions for the Fourth District Court of Appeal to republish the opinion it previously had issued in favor of the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego and the Episcopalians of St. John's Church. That opinion affirmed the right of the bishop to resolve intracongregational disputes over who is eligible to serve on a church board.

 

“This is a very important decision in favor of the Episcopal Church,” said Charles Dick, Chancellor for the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego and Partner with Baker & McKenzie LLP, who served as counsel to the diocese in this litigation. “It vindicates our position that the actions of the dissident congregation were extralegal and in excess of their legal authority.”

 

“I am overjoyed with this result which will finally allow the Episcopalians of St. John’s to return to their church,” said Bishop Mathes. “It is now time to bring to a close this unnecessary legal proceeding. The Episcopal Church will continue its ministry of following Jesus as an inclusive, servant church. All are welcome at St. John’s; there is room enough in God’s house for everyone.”

 

Bishop Mathes is available for comment. Please contact Hannah Miller to arrange an interview.

The Episcopal Diocese of San Diego is a non-profit, religious organization comprised of 50 congregations in San Diego, Imperial and Riverside Counties, CA and Yuma County, AZ. The Episcopal Church is the American branch of the Anglican Communion and Anglicanism is the religious tradition born of the once Roman Catholic Church of England. The tradition in its present form blends elements of Catholicism and Reformation church life. For more information, please visit: http://www.edsd.org/" href="http://www.edsd.org/">www.edsd.org.