UPDATE ON CLERGY MEETINGS

Both sides are staying quiet about what transpired in the clergy meetings of yesterday, 26 April. No participant is volunteering information and both dioceses are ignoring or refusing to release any word about the meetings. Since the litigation is still active in both state and federal courts, this is reasonable. All we know for sure at this point is that the meetings actually did take place. The Episcopal bishop talked with her clergy via Zoom. The Anglican bishop met with his clergy in person for four hours.

In a MESSAGE on Facebook, the Rev. Greg Kronz, rector of St. Luke's, of Hilton Head, one of the 14 implied his congregation may not have to leave. He said there was a "real possibility we might negotiate." He offered no evidence. He added that the diocesan lawyers were meeting today (Wed.) to discuss strategy.

As for the state courts, the next step will be one or both sides to ask for a rehearing before the SC Supreme Court. According to what I have found, they have 15 days from the issuance of the decision (Apr. 20) to file for rehearing. The SC Code is HERE. 15 days would be May 5.

If one or both ask for rehearing, the SCSC will take time to consider it. If neither asks for rehearing, the SCSC will send its opinion and a Remittitur to the circuit court for implementation.

In my opinion, it is dubious that either side will ask for rehearing. I do not see what either side has to gain while each has much to lose if the court should rehear and change its ruling. Moreover, the April 20 decision was unanimous. It is exceedingly unlikely any justice would want to take up this thorny case again. No doubt they are relieved to be rid of it. Bottom line---in all probability a rehearing will not happen.

So, now we have to wait until May 5 to know what happens next. I assume there will be no rehearing and that the SCSC will send its decision forthwith to the lower court. This will present the next problem since Judge Dickson was in no rush at all the last time around. He devoured two and a half years in a seemingly endless round of papers and hearings before finally issuing his decision. Even if Dickson does act soon, we can expect the actual implementation to take a good deal of time.

I expect over on the Anglican side, the discussion is about the options the 14 parishes to be returned to TEC may have at this point. Since everyone is being tight lipped, we may not know how the 14 will proceed for a long time. If there is no rehearing, the circuit court will soon start the process of returning the 14 parishes. The last time, the Episcopal side asked for a Special Master to oversee the transferal. I assume we will see the same request again.