Judge lets ousted priest sue in test of First Amendment

[struggle4progress]

The Episcopal bishop had denied the Montco cleric a church trial.
By David O'Reilly
Inquirer Staff Writer

... a Montgomery County . judge has allowed an Episcopal priest to sue his bishop .... Judge . Branca rejected Bishop . Bennison Jr.'s argument that the Rev. David Moyer had no right to .. a civil trial .... Bennison's lawyers .. argued .. the First Amendment barred civil courts from deciding cases involving religious personnel disputes. But Moyer's lawyers replied that .. Bennison denied him due process by removing him without a church trial .... Moyer .. a traditionalist .. has been a longtime critic of the liberal Bennison .... In 2002, Bennison responded by "inhibiting" .. and said he would "depose," or remove, him in six months if Moyer did not allow Bennison to make pastoral visits .... Moyer abided by the inhibition, but later .. presented himself for consecration as a bishop in .. breakaway church of traditionalists ...

http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/news/local/states/pennsylvania/16548224.htm

[papau]

1. RW judge lets neo-con priest sue "gay/women friendly" Bishop as "1st Amendment test

Now that is what I call protecting American human/civil rights - not

:-(

[struggle4progress]

3. Yeah, Branca is an R

[okasha]

2. Oh, my, watch the amicus curiae briefs

come sailing in to support the Bishop. If Moyers wins, it sets a precedent for women and gays to sue Catholic bishops and the SBC, among others, for denying them ordination. Not to mention suing conservative Episcopal Bishops on the same grounds.