Legal Document

393 U.S. 440 89 Supreme Court Reporter 601 21 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 658 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN the UNITED STATES et al., Petitioners,v.MARY ELIZABETH BLUE HULL MEMORIAL al. Number 71. Argued Dec. 9 and 10, 1968. Decided Jan. 27, 1969. Charles L. Gowen, Atlanta, Ga., for petitioners. Owen or Haw. Hawai‘i KFH45 A2 Page, Savannah, respondents. Mr. Justice BRENNAN delivered opinion of Court. 1 This is a church property dispute which arose when two local churches withdrew from hierarchical general organization. Under Georgia law right to previously used by was made turn on civil court jury decision as whether abandoned departed tenets faith practice it held at time affiliated with it. The question presented restraints First Amendment, applied through Fourteenth permit award basis interpretation significance assigns aspects doctrine. 2 Petitioner, Presbyterian Church in States, an association governed structure tribunals consists of, ascending order, (1) Session, composed elders church; (2) Presbytery, several geographical area; (3) Synod, generally all Presbyteries within State; (4) General Assembly, highest governing body. 3 A between petitioner, church, Georgia—the respondents, Hull Memorial Eastern Heights Church—over control properties until they churches. In 1966, membership churches, belief that certain actions pronouncements were violations organization's constitution departures doctrine force affiliation,1 voted withdraw reconstitute autonomous ministers renounced church's jurisdiction authority over them, did but ruling elders. response, Presbytery established Administrative Commission seek conciliation. dissident churchmen remained steadfast; consequently, acknowledged withdrawal leadership proceeded take churches' behalf new could be appointed. 4 no effort appeal Commission's action higher tribunals—the Synod Assembly. Instead, filed separate suits Superior Chatham County enjoin trespassing disputed property, title cases consolidated trial. moved dismiss cross-claimed injunctive relief its own ground courts without power determine had practice. motion denied, case submitted theory implies trust benefit sole condition adhere existing affiliation churches.2 Thus, instructed 'amount fundamental substantial abandonment original doctrines (general church), so are utterly variant purposes church) founded.' returned verdict trial judge hereupon declared implied terminated enjoined interfering use question. affirmed, 224 Ga. 61, 159 South Reporter, 2nd 690 (1968). We granted certiorari consider Amendment questions raised.3 392 903, 88 2060, 20 1362 reverse. 5 It course true State has legitimate interest resolving disputes, proper forum resolution. Special problems arise, however, these disputes implicate controversies approach this such originally developed Watson versus Jones, 13 Wall. 679, L.Ed. 666 (1872), pre-Erie R. company Tompkins diversity decided before application nonetheless informed considerat ons.4 There, here, asked resolve national organization out controversy decree termination because refused pointing wholly inconsistent American concept relationship state ecclesiastical questions. language clear constitutional ring, said 6 'In country full free entertain any religious belief, principle, teach does not violate laws morality infringe personal rights, conceded all. knows heresy, committed support dogma, establishment sect. * All who unite themselves body (the do consent (its) government, bound submit But would vain lead total subversion bodies, if one aggrieved their decisions secular have them (sic) reversed. essence unions, establish arising among themselves, those should binding cognizance, subject only appeals organism itself provides for.' Wall., 728—729.5 7 logic leaves role determining process disputes. 8 Later cases, also nonconstitutional grounds, recognized there might some circumstances marginal review determinations appropriate.6 scope delineated Gonzalez Roman Catholic Archbishop Manila, 280 1, 50 5, 74 131 (1929). claimed appointed chaplaincy under will provided member his family receive appointment. Philippine Islands, appoint he satisfy qualifications Canon Law office. brought suit Instance Manila judgment directing Archbishop, other things, him chaplain. entered Islands reversed 'absolved complaint.' affirmed. Brandeis, speaking Court, defined following words: absence fraud, collusion, arbitrariness, matters purely ecclesiastical, although affecting accepted litigation conclusive, parties contract otherwise.' U.S., 16. Kedroff St. Nicholas Cathedral Russian Orthodox North America, 344 94, 73 143, 97 120 (1952), converted principle qualified into rule. grew Moscow-based located America appointment New York City. independence Legislature enacted statute recognizing administrative autonomy. sustained constitutionality elected hierarch cathedral. reversed, finding Moscow schism, holding unconstitutional. said, 116, 154: 10 'The (in Jones) radiates spirit freedom organizations, manipulation—in short, decide interference, government well Freedom select clergy, where improper methods choice proven, we think, must now federal protection part exercise religion against interference.' (Italics supplied.) 11 And, statute, further, id., 119, 156: 12 'By fiat displaces administrator another. passes strictly thus intrudes segment forbidden area contrary principles Amendment.' invalidating legislative extended judicial Kreshik Cathedral, 363 190, 80 1037, 1140 (1960), guarantees liberty required reversal transferred central independent America. 14 severely circumscribes may play obvious, every jeopardizes values protected Amendment. Civil inhibit merely opening doors involving property. And neutral law, can app ied 'establishing' awarded. plainly jeopardized resolution If undertake order adjudicate dispute, hazards ever present inhibiting development implicating interests concern. Because hazards, enjoins employment organs essentially purposes, School District Township Abington, Pa. Schempp, 374 203, 83 1560, 844 (1963); therefore commands underlying Hence, individuals relationships require 15 violated command departure-from-doctrine element requires judiciary constitute 'substantial departure' favor terminated. determination parts. first challenged depart substantially prior reaching decision, necessity make meaning doctrines. departure occurred, then go issue holds place importance traditional theology after assessing relative found. very core religion—the particular religion. Plainly, forbids playing role. 16 Since remand petitioner entitled cross-claims, find appropriate remark Georgia's future proceedings. susceptible involvement contemplated Gonzalez.7 Gonzalez' rights turned Archbishop's, chaplaincy. archbishopric, courts, task analyzing interpreting validity claim weighing simply engaging narrowest kind specific decision—i.e., resulted arbitrariness. Such inject substantive matters. contrast, approach, possible limited standard departure-from-doctrine, though calls questions, creation state, law. Nothing record suggests been interpreted church. Any about most tangential state-fashioned standard. fraudulent, collusive, arbitrary answer posed To reach engage Even attempted apply standard, enforce violating Constitution. prohibits employing organizations arm perform function applying standards. See supra. more than itself. 17 remanded further proceedings opinion. 18 ordered. 19 Judgment remanded. HARLAN, concurring. & N Immigration Nationality Decisions am entire agreement Court's rejection 'departure-from-doctrine' taken necessarily civilian weigh not, read hold enforcing deed expressly clearly lays down conditions limiting granted. If, example, donor gives money never ordain woman minister elder, see ante, 442, n. amend specified articles Confession Faith, back fulfilled. case, permitted keep authorities determined doctrinal innovation justified faith's basic principles. Cf. 722—724, (1872). 22 On understanding, join summarizes petitioner's including following: 'ordaining women elders, making recommendations concerning civil, economic, social political matters, giving removal Bible reading prayers children public schools, adopting Sunday literature teaching neo-orthodoxy alien Faith Catechisms, adopted causing members remain National Council Churches Christ willingly accepting advocated named practices, subverting parental authority, disobedience intermeddling affairs'; 'that international issues Vietnam conflict disseminated publications denying Holy Trinity moral ethical standards faith.' 62—63, 690, 692 derives fashioned English courts. See, e.g., Craigdallie Aikman, Dow Eng.Rep. (H.L.1813) (Scot.); Attorney ex rel. Mander Pearson, Mer. 353, 36 135 (Ch. 1817). For subsequent Note, Judicial Intervention Disputes Over Use Property, 75 Harv.L.Rev. 1142, 1148—1149 (1962). reject contention respondent raised Petitioner's cross-claim each included express allegation respondents appropriating 'in violation Georgia, Southern Church.' At trial, petitioners' counsel objected admission testimony 'pertaining (the) alleged deviation States' 'exclusively determine.' appeal, petitioners again contended nature tenents doctrines, exclusively destroy separation state.' Petitioners claims (1952). considered claims. considering (that petitions raise maintain action),' 'we mindful carries having beliefs defined, interpreted, censored courts." 68, S.E.2d, 695. concluded, Citing Code Ann. § 22—408, provides: 'Courts reluctant interpose management temporalities devoted purpose, prevent being diverted trust,' 'a conditioned upon adherence from, diversion trust, prevent.' 'Watson contains reference relations our system laws, depending prohibition interference 1871 (sic), recognition coercive protect limitations action. long antedated 1938 Erie Ruhlin Life insurance Co., 304 64, 58 817, 82 1188, 202, 860, 1290 and, therefore, even depended solely diversity, based rather Kentucky law.' 115—116, 154 Accord, see, Trustees Pencader Hundred Gibson, 26 Del.Ch. 375, Atlantic 782 (1941); Bramlett Young, 229 S.C. 519, 93 873 (1956); John's Central Petersburg, 102 So.2d 714 (Fla.1958); Northside Goodson, 387 Federal 534 (C.A.5th Cir. 1967). examination growth rules settling 1142 (1962); 54 Va.L.Rev. 1451 (1968); Duesenberg, Jurisdiction Courts Religious Issues, Ohio St.L.J. 508 (1959); Comment, Property Disputes—Some Constitutional Considerations, Yale L.J. 1113 (1965). Bouldin Alexander, 131, 69 (1872); Brundage Deardorf, 55 KF105 F3 839 (C.C.N.D.Ohio 1893). occasion define discuss precise limits 'fraud, arbitrariness' Gonzalez.

Classification Label: 2