This appears to go against a previous decision by the Texas Supreme Court, which was in favor of the Diocese and led to the Tarrant County Court ruling against the Episcopal Church.

The Diocese of Fort Worth split from the Episcopal Church in 2009 over the denomination's endorsement of gay marriage, women priests and associated heterodoxy. The Episcopal Church then proceeded to sue the Diocese of Fort Worth for its buildings and money.

Bishop Iker anticipates that the final decision in this ongoing litigation will lie with the state's Supreme Court. The full text of his statement follows below.

Please pray for the Diocese of Fort Worth, Bishop Iker and diocesan attorneys.

BREAKING: The diocese will appeal the decision to the State Supreme Court of Texas

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The Second Court of Appeals has issued its long-awaited ruling in our litigation, and the Court has found in favor of TEC's arguments that TEC decides who belongs to their Diocese and that their Diocese controls the Corporation Board of Trustees, as well as all property and other assets.

Our attorneys are reviewing the 178-page opinion, and I will have a conference call with them tomorrow to discuss how to proceed. As we have said in the past, we have anticipated all along that the Texas Supreme Court will make the final decision on this matter.

As the legal battle continues, let us remain focused on the Risen Jesus and our mission to proclaim the Good News to all people.

The Rt. Rev. Jack Leo Iker
Bishop of Fort Worth
April 5, 2018

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Second Court of Appeals opinion favors Episcopal parties

TEC DIOCESE OF FORT WORTH

April 5, 2018

On Thursday, April 5, 2018, the Fort Worth Court of Appeals issued a 178-page opinion in favor of the loyal Episcopalians of the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth. In a decision authored by the Chief Justice, the Court of Appeals reversed the trial court's 2015 judgment for the breakaway parties and held that the loyal Episcopalians are entitled to control both the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth and its Corporation.

Noting that the parties agreed that the Corporation held legal title to all of the property in dispute, the Court of Appeals also analyzed two examples of the many deeds at issue. The Court of Appeals rendered judgment in favor of the loyal Episcopalians on those two deeds, both of which relate to property occupied by All Saints Episcopal Church (Fort Worth). The Court of Appeals then remanded the many other, similar deeds to the trial court so it could rule on those deeds using the same analysis.

Bishop Scott Mayer of the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth said today: "We are very grateful for the care taken by the Fort Worth Court of Appeals in reaching its decision. As this unfolds, the people and clergy of our diocese will, as always, carry on our work as the Episcopal branch of the Jesus Movement. We continue to hold all involved in our prayers."

The Episcopal Parties and Congregations look forward to the resolution of this matter and the trial court's enforcement of the Court of Appeals' opinion.

OPINION: https://episcopaldiocesefortworth.org/assets/Opinion-178pgs.pdf

JUDGEMENT: https://episcopaldiocesefortworth.org/assets/Judgment-2pages.pdf

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