Case Appeal

Summary

St. James Anglican Church in Newport Beach, California, is filing a petition for writ of certiorari in late May 2009 with the United States Supreme Court in a property dispute which affects countless churches, religious groups, and congregations throughout America. A petition for certiorari means that St. James is asking the Justices to review the opinion rendered by the California Supreme Court. It includes a list of the parties, a statement of the facts of the case, the legal questions presented for review, and arguments as to why the Court should grant the petition.

Brief History

In August 2004, St. James Church ended its affiliation with the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles (“Diocese”) and the national Episcopal Church (“TEC”) over theological differences involving the authority of Holy Scripture and the Lordship of Jesus Christ. In doing so, St. James sought to be Steadfast in Faith with mainstream Christianity. (Please see also the FAQ and the Important Dates sections of this Web site for more detail on the lawsuit filed by the Diocese and TEC.)

Key Issues

There are compelling arguments for the Justices of the Supreme Court to grant the St. James petition. The key issues are:

1. Many dozens of church property cases are percolating in the court system lacking constitutional direction.
2. States are in conflict regarding the handling of church property cases.
3. These issues have garnered widespread national attention and involve important questions of federal constitutional law.

Implications

The constitutional issues in this case go far beyond St. James or even the Episcopal Church. Every church, temple, synagogue, parish, spiritual center, congregation or religious group which owns property, and has some affiliation with a larger religious group, is affected. A United States Supreme Court decision in favor of St. James would benefit local churches and religious groups throughout the country because it would allow congregations the ability to exercise their religious freedom without having to forfeit their property to a larger religious body or denomination with which they are affiliated.