PINCA religious entity is a unique creature: first, an ecclesiastical entity with its doctrinal matters or tenets of the faith protected under the First Amendment; but also a corporate entity, created under the laws of the state and therefore subject to it strictures. The line between ecclesiastical and corporate functions was once again before the Supreme Court of Texas in The Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth v. The Episcopal Church, __ _S.W.3d __ (Tex. 2020), when it was again asked to determine ownership of church property after a schism. Can the civil courts hear the dispute, or is this within the exclusive purview of the ecclesiastical hierarchy?
Constitutional Standard
