Sign In
Events
Newsletters
Search

Close

Close Search

SEARCH
MY LAW.COMNEW

Masterson, et al. v. the Diocese of Northwest Texas, et al.

This appeal arises from a property dispute among parishioners from the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd in San Angelo. In 2006, a majority of the Good Shepherd parishioners voted to withdraw Good Shepherd from the Episcopal Church of the United States and the Diocese of Northwest Texas and to reorganize as the Anglican Church of the Good Shepherd affiliated with the Diocese of Uganda, Africa; a minority voted to continue Good Shepherd's affiliation with the Episcopal Church and the Diocese of Northwest Texas (the Diocese). The Diocese and the individual appellees (collectively, the continuing parish leaders) filed suit for declaratory judgment to establish their rights to continued possession and control over the church property, which was claimed by appellants, who are members of the withdrawing group. Appellants counterclaimed with a suit to quiet title and request for declaratory judgment that they were entitled to possession and use of the church property. The Diocese and continuing parish leaders moved for summary judgment, which the trial court granted. Appellants appeal, arguing primarily that the trial court erred in failing to properly apply "neutral principles" of law to resolve the dispute. Having overruled the issues on appeal, the trial court's judgment is affirmed. Austin Court of Appeals, No. 03-10-00015-CV, 03-16-2011

X

Thank you for sharing!

Your article was successfully shared with the contacts you provided.

OPINION

This appeal arises from a property dispute among parishioners from the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd (“Good Shepherd”) in San Angelo, Texas. In 2006, a majority of the Good Shepherd parishioners voted to withdraw Good Shepherd from the Episcopal Church of the United States and the Diocese of Northwest Texas and to reorganize as the Anglican Church of the Good Shepherd affiliated with the Diocese of Uganda, Africa; a minority voted to continue Good Shepherd’s affiliation with the Episcopal Church and the Diocese of Northwest Texas (the “Diocese”). The Diocese and the individual appellees, The Rev. Celia Ellery, Don Griffis, and Michael Ryan (collectively, the “Continuing Parish Leaders”), filed suit for declaratory judgment to establish their rights to continued possession and control over the church property, which was claimed by appellants, who are members of the withdrawing group (collectively, the “Former Parish Leaders”).*fn1 The Former Parish Leaders counterclaimed with a suit to quiet title and request for declaratory judgment that they were entitled to possession and use of the church property. The Diocese and Continuing Parish Leaders moved for summary judgment, which the trial court granted. The Former Parish Leaders appeal, arguing primarily that the trial court erred in failing to properly apply “neutral principles” of law to resolve the dispute. We will affirm the trial court’s judgment.

Trending Stories

 
Reprints & Licensing
Mentioned in a Law.com story?

License our industry-leading legal content to extend your thought leadership and build your brand.

LEARN MORE

More From ALM

Premium Subscription

With this subscription you will receive unlimited access to high quality, online, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry. This is perfect for attorneys licensed in multiple jurisdictions or for attorneys that have fulfilled their CLE requirement but need to access resourceful information for their practice areas.
View Now

Team Accounts

Our Team Account subscription service is for legal teams of four or more attorneys. Each attorney is granted unlimited access to high quality, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry along with administrative access to easily manage CLE for the entire team.
View Now

Bundle Subscriptions

Gain access to some of the most knowledgeable and experienced attorneys with our 2 bundle options! Our Compliance bundles are curated by CLE Counselors and include current legal topics and challenges within the industry. Our second option allows you to build your bundle and strategically select the content that pertains to your needs. Both options are priced the same.
View Now
Go to CLE Center

GlobeSt. Multifamily Spring 2023

March 27, 2023 - March 28, 2023
Miami, FL

Join the industry's top owners, investors, developers, brokers & financiers at THE MULTIFAMILY EVENT OF THE YEAR!


Learn More

The Asia Legal Awards (ASLA) 2023

March 30, 2023
Singapore

Where the region's top lawyers, law firms and in-house teams will gather to celebrate their most stellar achievements of the year.


Learn More

GlobeSt Net Lease Spring 2023

April 03, 2023 - April 04, 2023
New York

This conference brings together the industry's most influential & knowledgeable real estate executives from the net lease sector.


Learn More
Go to Events Go to Webcasts

Associate Attorney


Looking for an Associate Attorney with 2 to 5 years experience to handle Labor and Employment Law, Pension Appeals and Workers Compensation....


Apply Now ›

Health Law Associate CT


Health Law Associate CT Shipman is seeking an associate to join our national longstanding health law practice. Candidates must have t...


Apply Now ›

CIVIL LITIGATION ATTORNEY -NEW YORK


Regional mid-sized firm with diverse civil litigation practice seeking hardworking and dedicated attorneys with 1-5 years experience for it...


Apply Now ›
Go to Lawjobs

LAWYERS OF DISTINCTION

03/24/2023
NLJ Web

Lawyers of Distinction would like to announce...


View Announcement ›

SNYDER SARNO D'ANIELLO MACERI & DACOSTA

03/13/2023
NJLJ Web

Snyder Sarno D'Aniello Maceri & daCosta would like to announce that...


View Announcement ›

COLE SCHOTZ P.C.

03/13/2023
NJLJ Web

COLE SCHOTZ P.C. WELCOME HONORABLE GARRY S. ROTHSTADT, J.A.D. (RET.)


View Announcement ›
Go to Professional Announcements

Legal Newswire

ALM Partners with IPMA for Annual Compensation Survey for Paralegals, Practice S...
Bespoke Capital Consulting Announces First Investment
Lineal Announces New SaaS Solution, Lineal Cloud
ALM announces major expansion of Law.com Radar with the addition of State Courts...
Submit a press release