The Protestant Episcopal Church in the Diocese of South Carolina the Trustees of the Protestant Ep — Beatty, J…

Summary

Chief Justice Beatty would apply neutral principles of law and South Carolina property and trust law to hold that the Dennis Canon alone did not transfer title or create a legally cognizable trust. He would recognize irrevocable trusts for parishes that expressly acceded to the canon, but preserve the property of parishes that never expressly acceded, and would affirm in part and reverse in part. Acting Justice Toal would affirm the trial court, Justice Hearn would reverse based on ecclesiastical deference and an express trust, and Justice Kittredge would affirm in result while disagreeing over the effect and revocability of accession.