SOUTH CAROLINA SUPREME COURT DENIES APPEALS

On today, May 24, 2023, the South Carolina Supreme Court finally issued its ruling on the three appeals filed last September. The court had issued a decision on August 17, 2022. The Church of the Good Shepherd then filed an appeal to the SCSC asking the court to reverse its ruling that that parish was property of the Episcopal Church. The Episcopal side also filed appeals asking the court to reverse its judgment on Old Saint Andrew's and Holy Cross (Stateburg). The court had ruled for local ownership and against TEC on these two. 

This morning, the SCSC issued a denial of rehearing/reversal on all three matters and also sent a Remittitur to the lower court to enact the August 17, 2022 SCSC order. 

This should end the dispositions of the local parishes in the schism. The Anglican Diocese of SC can keep OSA and Holy Cross while the Episcopal Diocese of SC regains ownership of Good Shepherd (in West Ashley, Charleston).

The Remittitur completes the work of the SCSC on the church case, after eight years. It had already sent a Remittitur of its April 2022 judgment to the lower court. The lower court now has to effectuate the SCSC decisions on the dispositions of the parishes.

Although the SC Supreme Court made a mess of the church case, and dragged it out for eight years (2015-2023), at least the court has finally brought an end to its handling of the case. It is not the end it should be, but nevertheless it is the end and both sides will have to live with it for better or for worse.