Legal Opinion
Episcopal Diocese v. DeVine
Massachusetts Appeals Court
Decided October 23, 2003No. Nos. 01-P-637, 01-P-545, & 01-P-898PublishedCited by 11 opinions
1Opinion of the CourtGreen, J.
Driven by disagreement over divers doctrinal matters, the leaders of St. Paul’s Parish of Brockton took actions to separate from the Massachusetts Diocese (Diocese) of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America (PECUSA). The diocesan bishop asserted control over the parish, replaced the leaders and when the displaced leaders refused to surrender the church keys, commenced an action seeking injunctive and declaratory relief. A judge of the Superior Court entered summary judgment in favor of the Diocese in that action, and two related actions were thereafter dismissed.4
Becau…
2Cases cited17 opinions
- Watson v. JonesSupreme Court of the United States · 1872
- Serbian Eastern Orthodox Diocese for United States and Canada v. MilivojevichSupreme Court of the United States · 1976
- Jones v. WolfSupreme Court of the United States · 1979
- Fortin v. Roman Catholic BishopMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1994
- Protestant Episc. Church, Diocese of NJ v. GravesSupreme Court of New Jersey · 1980
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3Cited by11 opinions
- Episcopal Church CasesCalifornia Supreme Court · 2009
- Wooten v. CraytonMassachusetts Appeals Court · 2006
- General Convention of the New Jerusalem in the United States of America, Inc. v. MacKenzieMassachusetts Appeals Court · 2006
- Episcopal Church CasesCalifornia Supreme Court · 2009
- CHURCH OF THE HOLY SPIRIT OF WAYLAND & others v. MARILYN J. HEINRICH & others (and a companion case ).Massachusetts Appeals Court · 2022
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