NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN THE ALL SAINTS, FT. WORTH, BANKRUPTCY CASE

Today, November 2, 2021, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, in Ft. Worth, Texas, issued a procedural schedule in the bankruptcy case of All Saints Episcopal Church, Ft. Worth. On October 20th, All Saints filed in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court of North Texas. The bankruptcy filing puts up an automatic stay that prevents creditors from collecting from the debtor (All Saints). 

Today's court decisions may be found here :

"Meeting of creditors 341(1) meeting to be held on 12/1/2021 at 01:30 PM by TELEPHONE. Proofs of Claims due by 3/1/2021. Government Proof of Claim due by 5/30/2022."

Since I am not a lawyer, I cannot speak to what all this means legally, but I assume it means the bankruptcy filing continues to at least May 30 of 2022. If the stay continues for the duration of the bankruptcy filing, I expect this means the breakaway diocese cannot gain possession of All Saints' bank accounts until at least next June. If this is true, it should give All Saints Episcopal Church a breathing space. 

All Saints Episcopal Church is a major parish, 1,500 members, with a large and valuable building and considerable budget. In the schism, it remained loyal to the national Episcopal Church. Thanks to the Texas supreme court, the secessionists won the whole of the pre-schism diocese and promptly moved to take possession. All Saints' recourse to the bankruptcy court at least stalls the turnover of the parish property to the anti-Episcopal Church party.