Court Favors Diocese of Newark, Denies Claims of Jersey City Church
Episcopal News Service. June 21, 1990 [90166I]
The Supreme Court of New Jersey on May 30 sustained a lower court ruling that the Diocese of Newark had acted within its rights when it designated the Church of the Ascension, in Jersey City, as an "aided parish" under canon law. The Rev. George G. Swanson, Ascension's rector, and his vestry had sought to curtail diocesan involvement in the rebuilding of Ascension, following the church's destruction by fire. The court also ruled that the diocese had acted properly by placing the church's assets and the fire insurance proceeds under trusteeship. In light of the court's ruling, the Diocese of Newark issued a statement on June 6 reiterating its plans for involvement in the church's restoration.