In re Episcopal Sch. of Dall., Inc.

Opinion by Justice Whitehill

This original proceeding involves an issue of first impression for this Court: whether the ecclesiastical abstention doctrine applies to faith-based schools not owned or operated by a church.1 If that doctrine applies here as a general matter, a second question is whether the plaintiffs' claims implicate the school's ability to manage its internal affairs such that the doctrine defeats the trial court's subject matter jurisdiction over those claims.

The Episcopal School of Dallas (the school) seeks a writ of mandamus compelling the trial court to vacate an order…