Accokeek Appeal Argued
Informal First Report by
Auburn Faber Traycik and Robert Stowe England |
24 January 2002
The Christian Challenge (Washington, DC)
The appeal of the federal court decision in favor of Acting Washington Bishop Jane Dixon's lawsuit against the rector and vestry of Maryland's Christ Church, Accokeek, was argued before a lively Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Virginia, this morning.
Charles Nalls, counsel to the vestry and Fr. Samuel Edwards, told TCC that the appeal judges conducted a "robust" and "impressive" hearing, exploring some areas of law less noticed in the case up to now, and asking probing questions--particularly of Dixon attorney David Schnorrenberg. Nalls said that, while the judges allowed him a few minutes to make his arguments, one of the judges started questioning Schnorrenberg "like a shot" right after he began attempting to make Dixon's case.
According to an observer, Schnorrenberg was grilled heavily by one judge about why Dixon had brough the suit as an individual and not in conjunction with the Diocese of Washington.
Schnorrenberg was grilled so relentlessly, according to one source, he was often unable to complete an argument. Another judge asked Schnorrenberg why the contract between Fr. Edwards is null and void.
Nalls was grilled about the hierarchical nature of the church by one of the judges.
Despite the fact that the Washington diocesan convention--slated to elect a new bishop--starts today, some one dozen officials and other persons supporting the diocese were present in the court, Nalls said.
Nalls, the Edwards family and a group of Accokeek leaders and parishioners are now on their way back home from Richmond. Some or all of them will be present at a service of Evening Prayer and Holy Communion this evening at the Parish of Christ the King in Georgetown, starting at 6 p.m.
Return to Dixon/Edwards archive
