APPEALS COURT DENIES

MOTIONS TO STAY

The Diocese of South Carolina announced in its newsletter today that the United States Court of Appeal, Fourth Circuit, has denied the disassociated diocese's two motions to the Court. One would put a stay on Judge Gergel's Injunction banning the breakaways from using the names and emblems of the Episcopal diocese. The second was to stay the entire case in the appeals court until the U.S. Supreme Court rules on the "Booking.com" case. 

This means that Gergel's Injunction against "the Anglican Diocese of South Carolina" remains in place. It also means the case will proceed in the appeals court regardless of what SCOTUS does. 

In the next few weeks, both sides will present their briefs, or written arguments, to the appeals court. The Church is asking the court to uphold Gergel's decisions. The breakaway side is asking the court to overturn Gergel's decisions. It is most unlikely the court will overturn Gergel's brilliant and virtually appeal-proof opinion. 

After the two sides submit their briefs, the court will likely schedule a time soon for a hearing before the court, in Richmond. It will be live-streamed by audio.