Bishop Benhase in a recent confirmation service at Trinity Cochran (and below with all the confirmands and the Rev. Joy Fisher).

Diocesan Staff Events

GA Supreme Court to Hear Christ Church Case

The Georgia Supreme Court has announced that it will hear oral arguments in April in the ongoing legal case concerning Christ Church Episcopal, Savannah and a breakaway congregation.

The Rev. Michael White, Rector of Christ Church Episcopal, Savannah, says, "We are pleased to have the Georgia Supreme Court review our case. The two previous courts - the Chatham County Superior Court and the Georgia Court of Appeals - unequivocally stated that the Episcopal Diocese of Georgia has the full right to take possession of its property on Johnson Square. While deprived of our building for three years, Christ Church Episcopal has continued as a Christ-centered community of worship and service and we have experienced phenomenal growth and a renewed spirit of discipleship.  We are at peace with spending a few more months worshipping at St. Michael and All Angel's Episcopal Church each Sunday at 5 p.m.  We look forward to the Georgia Supreme Court's hearing in April, and we know that if the Court upholds the two previous favorable rulings, we will return to our church home on Johnson Square and maintain our abiding commitment to Christian grace, joy, humility, and forgiveness." 

"How can the defendants dispute the existence and efficacy of the (Trust Canon) when they publicly acknowledged their adherence to all canons of the national church after the (Trust Canon) was enacted?" wrote Superior Court Judge Michael Carp in his ruling. "Case law around the country also supports that an implied trust has always existed."

 Bishop Scott Benhase, the tenth Bishop  of Georgia, said after learning of the appeals court's decision, "We are grateful to our heavenly Father for the sound judgement and wisdom of the court. The historic mission of the Episcopal Church in Savannah and in Georgia flows through Christ Church. Episcopalians throughout the centuries have given sacrificially and worked faithfully to support the mission of Jesus Christ through His Body at Christ Church. The courts ruling reaffirms that this mission, guided by the Holy Spirit, will continue in its historic church home." 

The Episcopal Church, The Diocese of Georgia and Christ Church Episcopal originally filed a lawsuit after the breakaway congregation voted to align with the Province of Uganda in September 2007 but refused to vacate the church property. Judge Karpf's 21 page ruling in favor of the Episcopal Church held that Christ Church Episcopal was entitled to immediate possession of of all church property. The breakaway congregation subsequently appealed that decision. In affirming Judge Karpf's decision on all counts, the Court of Appeals noted Christ Church's  longstanding affiliation with the Episcopal Church, including its leadership in forming the Episcopal Diocese of Georgia in 1823.  

Now, the Georgia Supreme Court will examine whether the Court of Appeals was correct in its application of "neutral principles of law" and interpretation of state codes when it ruled in favor of the Diocese of Georgia. The Diocese is confident that the Supreme Court will uphold the previous two rulings on this case.