Deposition testimony from Motel Manager & Chief Exterminator David Booth Beers, Chancellor of the Episcopal Church:
Question: Does a parish have the authority under any circumstances to withdraw from the Diocese?
Beers: No.
Question: Does the parish have any authority to decide to be part of a different diocese?
Beers: No.
Question: Does the Diocese have any authority to withdraw from the Episcopal Church?
Beers: No.
Question: Are there any circumstances under which the parish would have the authority to withdraw from the Diocese?
Beers: Not as a parish. The congregants could leave.
Question: Are there any circumstances under which a diocese could withdraw from the Episcopal Church?
Beers: No. Oh, with consent. I'm sorry.
Question: You're talking about without consent.
Beers Without consent.
Question: On its own, unilaterally?
Beers: Right. My answer stands.
Question: So if, for example, the -- the National Church would adopt a non-Christian faith and declare holy war on the United States, the Diocese would not have the authority to withdraw?
Beers: No. [emph.added]
Question: And the same thing, if the National church would adopt a non-Christian faith and declare holy war on the United States, a parish would not have the authority to withdraw, is that ---
Beers: That's correct.
(h/t VirtueOnLine)
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