News from the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth http://www.episcopaldiocesefortworth.org News from the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth en-us webmaster@episcopaldiocesefortworth.org (Elinor Normand) National Churches Support Texas Episcopalians in Amicus Briefs Filed with Texas Supreme Court http://episcopaldiocesefortworth.org/holystewardshipfiles/amicusbrieffilings%20-%2002.32.12.htm http://episcopaldiocesefortworth.org/holystewardshipfiles/amicusbrieffilings%20-%2002.32.12.htm Several national churches have joined The Episcopal Church and Texas dioceses in filing amicus curiae ("friend of the court") briefs with the Texas Supreme Court Texas Supreme Court notes probable jurisdiction http://episcopaldiocesefortworth.org/holystewardshipfiles/supreme%20court%20-%2001.06.12.htm http://episcopaldiocesefortworth.org/holystewardshipfiles/supreme%20court%20-%2001.06.12.htm Texas Supreme Court noted probable jurisdiction of the breakaway defendants' appeal from Judge John P. Chupp's February 8, 2011 partial summary judgment Statement on October 20 Order on Supersedeas and Injunctions http://episcopaldiocesefortworth.org/holystewardshipfiles/supersedeas%20bond%20set%20-%2010.20.11.htm http://episcopaldiocesefortworth.org/holystewardshipfiles/supersedeas%20bond%20set%20-%2010.20.11.htm Court Protects All Episcopal Property and Accounts During Appeal: Signs Episcopal Parties' Requested Order, Sets Six-Figure Bond, and Orders Monthly Financial Reporting from All Southern Cone Defendants. Hearing Set on Supersedeas Bond and Injunction Pending Appeal http://episcopaldiocesefortworth.org/holystewardship.htm http://episcopaldiocesefortworth.org/holystewardship.htm District Judge John P. Chupp will hear the Local Episcopal Parties’ Motion to Tender Orders on Thursday, October 6, 2011, at 11:00 a.m. Parties File Jurisdictional Statements in Texas Supreme Court http://episcopaldiocesefortworth.org/holystewardshipfiles/statement%20on%20jurisdictional%20statement%206.21.11.htm http://episcopaldiocesefortworth.org/holystewardshipfiles/statement%20on%20jurisdictional%20statement%206.21.11.htm On June 16, 2011 the Episcopal Parties filed their response to the breakaway defendants’ statement of jurisdiction in the Texas Supreme Court. Hearing on Supersedeas Recessed http://episcopaldiocesefortworth.org/holystewardshipfiles/hearing%20on%20supersedeas%20recessed%205.19.11.htm http://episcopaldiocesefortworth.org/holystewardshipfiles/hearing%20on%20supersedeas%20recessed%205.19.11.htm At the hearing in May 19 on the supersedeas and injunction motions, Judge John P. Chupp heard testimony from witnesses for the Local Episcopal Parties... Local Episcopal Parties Prepare for Hearing on Southern Cone Motion to Set Supersedeas Bond and Motion for Additional Protection http://episcopaldiocesefortworth.org/holystewardshipfiles/response%20to%20motion%20to%20set%20supersedeas%205.18.11.htm http://episcopaldiocesefortworth.org/holystewardshipfiles/response%20to%20motion%20to%20set%20supersedeas%205.18.11.htm On 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 19, 2011, Judge John P. Chupp of the 141st District Court of Tarrant County, Texas will hear evidence and legal arguments on three motions. Crow Elementary School Winners of St. Alban's Scholarships to TCC's "College for Kids" http://episcopaldiocesefortworth.org/newsindiocese/051311-StAlbansscholarships.htm http://episcopaldiocesefortworth.org/newsindiocese/051311-StAlbansscholarships.htm St. Alban's Episcopal Church, with cooperation of the Crow Elementary School principal and teachers, has awarded four scholarships to selected children for Tarrant County College's "College for Kids" program this summer. Judge Chupp Resets Supersedeas Hearing for May 19, Orders Discovery http://episcopaldiocesefortworth.org/holystewardshipfiles/hearing%20on%204.28.11.htm http://episcopaldiocesefortworth.org/holystewardshipfiles/hearing%20on%204.28.11.htm On April 28, Judge John P. Chupp granted in part the Local Episcopal Parties' Motion to Continue and for Additional Protection and reset the hearing on the Defendants' Motion to Set Supersedeas and the Local Episcopal Parties' Motion for Additional Protection for May 19, 2011. Episcopalians Seek Additional Protection for Church Property While on Appeal http://episcopaldiocesefortworth.org/holystewardshipfiles/Stmt%20on%20motion%20for%20continuance%20%20-%2004.25.11.htm http://episcopaldiocesefortworth.org/holystewardshipfiles/Stmt%20on%20motion%20for%20continuance%20%20-%2004.25.11.htm On April 25, 2011 the Southern Cone Parties filed in the 141st District Court of Tarrant County a motion to set supersedeas bond at zero dollars ($). Insurance Company Sues Iker-Led Diocese http://episcopaldiocesefortworth.org/holystewardshipfiles/Insurance%20company%20sues%20Iker-led%20diocese%20%20-%2004.25.11.htm http://episcopaldiocesefortworth.org/holystewardshipfiles/Insurance%20company%20sues%20Iker-led%20diocese%20%20-%2004.25.11.htm On April 25, 2011 Philadelphia Indemnity Insurance Company, which has issued directors' and officers' liability insurance to the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth, sued the break-away faction led by former Bishop Jack Leo Iker. Litigation Heats Up in Several Courts http://episcopaldiocesefortworth.org/holystewardshipfiles/legal%20update-042011.htm http://episcopaldiocesefortworth.org/holystewardshipfiles/legal%20update-042011.htm The litigation involving the Diocese, Corporation, Endowment Fund, and its parishes and missions against former leaders who left the Church is moving forward on several fronts in the past two weeks. Ohio Court Rules for Episcopalians http://episcopaldiocesefortworth.org/holystewardshipfiles/Ohio%20case%20%20-%2004.18.11.htm http://episcopaldiocesefortworth.org/holystewardshipfiles/Ohio%20case%20%20-%2004.18.11.htm On April 15, 2011, another court joined the long list of courts around the nation ruling that breakaway factions leaving The Episcopal Church cannot violate their oaths and seize Church property. Court severs February 8, 2011 Order for Appeal http://episcopaldiocesefortworth.org/holystewardshipfiles/Court%20severs%20Order%20for%20Appeal%20%20-%2004.05.11.htm http://episcopaldiocesefortworth.org/holystewardshipfiles/Court%20severs%20Order%20for%20Appeal%20%20-%2004.05.11.htm On April 5, 2011, the Court severed its February 8, 2011 Order. Local Episcopal Parties File New Pleadings and Supplemental Motion for Partial Summary Judgment http://episcopaldiocesefortworth.org/holystewardshipfiles/new%20pleadings%20-%20040111.htm http://episcopaldiocesefortworth.org/holystewardshipfiles/new%20pleadings%20-%20040111.htm On March 31, 2011 the Local Episcopal Parties filed amended pleadings in the 141st District Court of Tarrant County, Texas. Statement on 3/31/11 Hearing http://episcopaldiocesefortworth.org/holystewardshipfiles/hearing%20report-033111.htm http://episcopaldiocesefortworth.org/holystewardshipfiles/hearing%20report-033111.htm On March 31, 2011 Judge John P. Chupp heard arguments on the Southern Cone Parties' Motion to Sever and Stay Proceedings. Bp. Ohl outlines current plans for the continuing diocese http://episcopaldiocesefortworth.org/holystewardshipfiles/misc%20pdfs/Ohl%20Affidavit%20032111%20filed%20033111.pdf http://episcopaldiocesefortworth.org/holystewardshipfiles/misc%20pdfs/Ohl%20Affidavit%20032111%20filed%20033111.pdf In an affidavit signed March 21, Bp. Ohl describes current planning to develop and continue the mission of The Episcopal Church... Local parties file motion to compel http://episcopaldiocesefortworth.org/index.htm http://episcopaldiocesefortworth.org/index.htm On March 25, 2011 the Local Episcopal Parties filed a motion to compel discovery from the Southern Cone parties. Change of venue for Presiding Bishop visit http://episcopaldiocesefortworth.org/newsindiocese/021011%20-%20PBvisitchange%20of%20venue.htm http://episcopaldiocesefortworth.org/newsindiocese/021011%20-%20PBvisitchange%20of%20venue.htm It became necessary today to change the location of Tuesday's event with the Presiding Bishop. The new location is Beth El congregation at 4900 Briarhaven. Amended order entered on motion for summary judgment http://episcopaldiocesefortworth.org/holystewardshipfiles/Amended%20order%20entered%20-%20020811.htm http://episcopaldiocesefortworth.org/holystewardshipfiles/Amended%20order%20entered%20-%20020811.htm After a hearing on February 8, 2011, the Hon. John P. Chupp, judge of the 141st District Court of Tarrant County, Texas, entered an amended order affirming his rulings on January 21, 2011 in a form agreed to by all the parties. Obama appoints Presiding Bishop to advisory council http://episcopaldiocesefortworth.org/newsfromtecpublicaffairs/Obama%20appoints%20Presiding%20Bishop%20to%20advisory%20council.htm http://episcopaldiocesefortworth.org/newsfromtecpublicaffairs/Obama%20appoints%20Presiding%20Bishop%20to%20advisory%20council.htm President Barack Obama announced the appointment of Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori to the President's Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. New date set for hearing http://episcopaldiocesefortworth.org/holystewardshipfiles/New%20date%20for%20hearing.htm http://episcopaldiocesefortworth.org/holystewardshipfiles/New%20date%20for%20hearing.htm Hearing scheduled for February 8 at 10:00. Judge Grants Episcopal Parties' Motions for Summary Judgment http://episcopaldiocesefortworth.org/holystewardshipfiles/Summary%20Judgment%20Decision%20-%2001.21.11.htm http://episcopaldiocesefortworth.org/holystewardshipfiles/Summary%20Judgment%20Decision%20-%2001.21.11.htm On Friday, January 21, 2011, the Hon. John P. Chupp of the 141st District Court, Tarrant County, Texas, granted the Local Episcopal Parties' and The Episcopal Church's Motions for Summary Judgments. He denied the Southern Cone parties Motion for a Partial Summary Judgment. Summary Judgment Hearings Held http://episcopaldiocesefortworth.org/holystewardshipfiles/Summary%20Judgment%2001.14.11.htm http://episcopaldiocesefortworth.org/holystewardshipfiles/Summary%20Judgment%2001.14.11.htm On Friday, January 14, 2011, the Hon. John P. Chupp of the 141st District Court of Tarrant County considered the motions for summary judgment in the dispute between the Episcopal parties and the Southern Cone parties, former members of the Episcopal Church.