In Virginia Anglicans allege ‘intimidation’ in attempt to name defendants

Posted by Kendall Harmon

“It’s just harassment of defendants, that’s all it is,” Jim Oakes, vice chair of the Anglican District of Virginia, the umbrella group for the churches, said of the most recent motion. “It’s frankly intimidating to soccer moms and people who aren’t used to encountering our legal system.”

Patrick Getlein, a spokesman for the diocese, calls the motion to name the congregates “a procedural matter.” When the lawsuit was first filed, the names of some of the vestry members were unknown. Hence, the diocese left them as “John Doe” and “Jane Roe.”

Read it all.

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UPDATE:
The official response of the Anglican Diocese of Virginia may be found here.

Filed under: * Anglican - Episcopal • Episcopal Church (TEC) • TEC Conflicts • TEC Conflicts: Virginia • * Culture-Watch • Law & Legal Issues

14 Comments
Posted June 29, 2007 at 12:30 pm [Printer Friendly] [Print w/ comments]



1. Rob Eaton+ wrote:

Well, we certainly want to make sure that everybody is included in the business of the Church.
RGEaton

June 29, 1:21 pm | [comment link]
2. Brian from T19 wrote:

“It’s frankly intimidating to soccer moms and people who aren’t used to encountering our legal system.”

It seems to me that this has been TECs strategy from day one.  I can’t imagine that the old vestry members were not informed that this would happen.  It is a shame to name the vestry, but it works in some states.  I believe that there are cases in NY wgere the vestry was removed from the suit

June 29, 1:21 pm | [comment link]
3. Eugene wrote:

Legally the spokesman is probably correct.
Morally this is over the top.  The PB should know this.

June 29, 3:17 pm | [comment link]
4. William P. Sulik wrote:

I agree with Eugene, although this is an action by the DioVa, so it’s Peter James Lee, an attorney, who should know better.

Frankly, I’d love it if the DioVa named all of us.

June 29, 3:31 pm | [comment link]
5. Words Matter wrote:

It is a shame to name the vestry, but it works in some states.

So if it works, that erases the shame of it?

June 29, 4:44 pm | [comment link]
6. Barry wrote:

Can the congregants sue their bishops under a class action lawsuit?

Any lawyers out there?

June 29, 4:47 pm | [comment link]
7. Brian from T19 wrote:

So if it works, that erases the shame of it?

Yes.

June 29, 4:51 pm | [comment link]
8. BrianInDioSpfd wrote:

Is not intimidation one of the grounds for complaints under RICO?

June 29, 5:11 pm | [comment link]
9. Billy wrote:

If the laws does not allow suits against volunteers, then this would appear to be abuse of process, for which punitive damages could be claimed.  That is probably what should be used to stop these sort of intimidating tactics.

June 29, 5:58 pm | [comment link]
10. Words Matter wrote:

RE: #&

There is no good and evil, only power and those with the courage to use it.      —Voldemort

June 29, 7:12 pm | [comment link]
11. Enda wrote:

“How do I love thee?  Let me count the ways.”  Is that the right line?  If not, maybe it should be.  What could have been done is now no longer possible:  reconciliation.

June 29, 7:36 pm | [comment link]
12. The Old Circuit Rider wrote:

My Chancellor is called, Jesus, and He is more interested in my soul than in my property.  Since my Chancellor does not own property or represent property owners as such, would He be allowed at the table for the discussion of my soul’s welfare.

June 29, 8:04 pm | [comment link]
13. C.B. wrote:

#9 - The law allows suits against volunteers for willful misconduct, such as alienation of property. Note that the Diocese is not seeking any damages from the vestry. See the DioVa website. http://www.thediocese.net/News_services/pressroom/newsrelease31.html

June 30, 8:45 am | [comment link]
14. Cennydd wrote:

It IS intimidation….....intended or not!

June 30, 7:25 pm | [comment link]
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