MEDIATION RECESSED

The Episcopal Church in South Carolina has just announced that mediation has been recessed until December 4-5, 2017. No reason was given for the suspension. Obviously the two sides did not reach an agreement in their first session that was scheduled for Nov. 6-8. The recession was announced at 10:45 this morning, that is, early on the second day of the scheduled three day conference.

For those who wanted the mediation to bring a settlement, the bad news if that there is no agreement, but the good news is that they will meet again.

The mediation talks are strictly confidential and the lawyers and officials involved are not allowed to talk about them publicly. So, we cannot know any details now of what went on between the two sides yesterday and today. Moreover, it is not appropriate at this point for us to speculate publicly on what the terms of a final agreement should be. We have no choice but to await the eventual outcome of the mediation. 

Since they have agreed to meet again in a month, my guess is that the two sides made their demands and both need time to consider them and make counter-offers. If all issues, both state and federal, are on the table, there is a great deal to be considered. This is a very large and complicated case.

More time may allow the state supreme court to release its decision on whether to grant or deny DSC's three requests for rehearing. DSC is trying to overturn the court's August 2 decision that awarded 29 of the 36 parishes, and Camp St. Christopher, to the Episcopal Church in South Carolina.

Find the TECSC announcement of the recession here .