At a hearing punctuated with occasional humor from the bench, the Episcopal Church in South Carolina sought to have the order lifted, which forbids them to use the seal and the name of the Diocese of South Carolina. The Diocese departed from The Episcopal Church nearly one year ago after that body once again sought to bring ecclesiastical charges against the Rt. Rev. Mark J. Lawrence, Bishop of the Diocese.

St. George, SC, October 11, 2013 – The Hon. Dianne Goodstein, Judge for South Carolina’s First Judicial Circuit, has left the temporary restraining order that she imposed in place, which had been placed upon the Episcopal Church in South Carolina – the entity operating on behalf of The Episcopal Church within the boundaries of the Diocese of South Carolina.

At a hearing punctuated with occasional humor from the bench, the Episcopal Church in South Carolina sought to have the order lifted, which forbids them to use the seal and the name of the Diocese of South Carolina. The Diocese departed from The Episcopal Church nearly one year ago after that body once again sought to bring ecclesiastical charges against the Rt. Rev. Mark J. Lawrence, Bishop of the Diocese. He was charged with “abandoning the communion of The Episcopal Church” despite his efforts and those of the Diocese to remain in The Episcopal Church while differentiating themselves from the revisionism increasingly found in that body.

Following their disassociation, The Episcopal Church established a rival body earlier this year under the leadership of the Rt. Rev. Charles G. vonRosenberg, retired Bishop of East Tennessee, and the ensuing confusion as to which entity was acting at any given time led to the Diocese of South Carolina seeking, and receiving, an injunction and temporary restraining order from Judge Goodstein.

A number of supporters of Bishop Lawrence and the Diocese were present during the hearing in contrast to the nearly empty seats on the other side of the courtroom. Following the decision Bishop Lawrence said “I’m encouraged by this ruling, for the clarity it allows us in continuing with the mission and ministry of the Diocese.” The case will likely go to trial next year.

The Rev. Charles A. Collins, Jr., currently serves as Vicar of the Church of the Atonement, a Reformed Episcopal parish in the Anglican Church in North America, in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina.