Presbytery files countersuit to recover Peters Creek property (3x)

Three Rivers Episcopal Blog (stay and fight): Presbyterian Property Dispute in Western PA From Pittsburg Post-Gazette story:

In ongoing property litigation over Peters Creek United Presbyterian Church, Washington Presbytery has filed a countersuit against the Rev. L. Rus Howard and a church treasurer, demanding return of all church property and rent for use of the buildings.

They can sue Peters Creek United Presbyterian Church. We have already filed suit against them. But to file a suit against two individuals, one of whom is a 74-year-old widower on a fixed income, is ... just an attempt to harass and intimidate and scare," said Ray Peterson, spokesman for the majority.

The Rev. Charles Perrine, interim presbyter of Washington Presbytery, said countersuits are routine in property litigation.

"We named them in response to the suit they filed against us. We are preparing for the trial, as is the judge, as are the folks in the Evangelical Presbyterian Church," he said. (Ed: I assume he meant to say EPC version of Peters Creek, and not the Denomination)

Layman Article: Presbytery's claim of assets lists individual church leaders.

• The presbytery's countersuit also demands return of all church property and rent for use of the buildings.
• The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette said the total in the presbytery's claim was about $3 million.
• The presbytery has included among the assets even the possibility that one member might leave $1.5 million to the church - a gift that has only been discussed by the session

Editorial: It is time for the Moderator Rev. Bruce Reyes-Chow, to live up to his statements and the entire church to live up to the resolution passed at GA 218. Please act like Christians and not Lawyers.