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St George: Diocese of South Carolina versus The Episcopal Church Trial Concludes
By Ladson F. Mills III
Special to Virtueonline
www.virtueonline.org
July 25, 2014
For the partisan crowds that arrived en masse to pack a previously sparse courtroom the drive to little St George, South Carolina on Friday seemed hardly worth the effort. If they were lured by exciting stories of a wild out of control judge it might best to have stayed home and watched “Judge Judy.” In spite of the much hyped excitement that Bishop Mark Lawrence would finally testify it was a very typical day.
Bishop Lawrence testified his duties as Bishop did not change when the diocese withdrew from the national church. The failure of the national church to properly follow its own procedure when attempting to unseat him was documented. The only surprise occurred when Diocese of South Carolina attorney Alan Runyan attempted to move into an area involving possible collusion by the national church in their attempt to remove Bishop Lawrence from office through the controversial Title IV Canon. Lawyers for the national church objected to this as introducing ecclesiastical issues not allowed under the neutral principle South Carolina law.
After a lengthy recess and before the judge was able to render a decision Mr. Runyan withdrew the question, much to the delight of everyone present. By this time even the attorneys seemed to understand when it’s time to say when.
The much anticipated cross examination by the presiding bishop’s chancellor David Booth Beers seemed more a courtesy toward an old colleague than a cross examination. It was short, pleasant and quickly over. After a series of motions concerning documentation the trial ended. Judge Goodstein has requested a summary of corporate compliance and expects forty-five to sixty days before she will issue her ruling.
Supporters for both sides candidly acknowledge this will end up in the State Supreme Court regardless of who wins this judgment. Supporters of the national church believe that it will have to go all the way to the Supreme Court of the United States before they have a chance of winning.
This trial may be over. The show, however must go on.
Ladson F. Mills III is a retired priest with over thirty years pastoral experience. He is retired and lives with his wife in South Carolina. He currently serves as Scholar in Residence at the Church of Our Saviour, johns Island. He is a regular contributor to Virtueonline.
