EPISCOPAL LAWYERS PLAN REPLIES TO OBJECTIONS OF OSA AND HOLY CROSS

with addendum

On today, 13 September 2022, the attorneys for the Episcopal Church and the Episcopal diocese of SC signaled their intention of submitting replies to the papers filed yesterday from Old Saint Andrew's and Holy Cross, Stateburg. These two filed "Returns" yesterday opposing the Episcopal lawyers' motions in the South Carolina Supreme Court to reverse or rehear the SCSC decision of 17 August that recognized local ownership of the properties of these two parishes. This revoked the SCSC decisions of Aug. 2, 2017 and April 20, 2022, both of which recognized Episcopal Church ownership of the properties.

In today's filing, the Episcopal lawyers submitted "Motion for Extension of Time to File Replies to Returns to Motion for Relief from Judgment." They asked the court to extend the time allowed for a reply to the returns from 19 September to 30 September. They mention that the opposing lawyers had agreed to the extension. 

The court did not post a response to today's filing on its website, but I expect it will grant the extension soon. If the SCSC does grant the extension, we can expect the Episcopal rejoinder at the end of this month. The court would probably make a ruling on the original Episcopal motions some time soon afterwards.

The question at hand is --- who owns the local properties of OSA and Holy Cross, the Episcopal Church or the present occupants who are affiliated with the Anglican Diocese of SC? The SCSC has already ruled twice for TEC and once against TEC.

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ADDENDUM. Sept. 14, 2022.

On 14 September 2022, the SCSC granted the Motion for extension of time. The reply from the Episcopal side's lawyers is now due on September 30. They will argue that Old St. Andrew's and Holy Cross, Stateburg, should be property of the Episcopal Church.