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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF MARYLAND

JANE HOLMES DIXON Plaintiff v. SAMUEL L. EDWARDS and THE VESTRY OF ST. JOHN'S PARISH Defendants

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Civil No. PJM 01-1838

OPINION
Plaintiff Jane Holmes Dixon is the Bishop Pro Tempore of the Washington Diocese of the Protestant Episcopal Church of the United States. of the Diocese
1

The geographic boundaries

encompass the District of Columbia and the Maryland counties of

Montgomery, Prince George's, Charles, and St. Mary's. Defendant Samuel L. Edwards is an ordained Episcopalian priest who claims entitlement to be Rector of St. John's Parish located

1

The Church, since 1967, has been known as the Episcopal Church. Frank S. Mead, Handbook of Denominations in the United States 129 (10th ed. 1995). 1

in Accokeek, Prince George's County, Maryland.

2

Defendant Vestry of St. John's Parish is

a Maryland religious corporation, responsible for guiding the affairs of St. John's Parish, including Christ Church. 3 In this action, Bishop Dixon asks the Court to make the following declarations: a) that she or her delegate has the right to be present in the buildings and on the grounds of St. John's Parish and to perform her duties as Bishop and Rector Ex Officio there; and that her actions on May 27, 2001 did not, and similar future actions by her or her delegate will not, constitute trespass (Count I); b) that she has a right to preside at meetings of the Vestry of St. John's Parish and the Parish of St. John's (Count I); c) that the purported contract between the Vestry of St. John's Parish and Father Edwards for him to serve as Rector of the Parish is invalid and without effect (Count II); d) that the acts of the Vestry in contracting with Father Edwards to be and holding him out as Rector of St. John's Parish and preventing Bishop Dixon from presiding at Vestry meetings and performing other acts as Rector Ex Officio are ultra vires and of no force and effect (Count III);
2

Bishop Dixon is a resident of Washington, D.C., Father Edwards a resident of Maryland. The case is before the Court pursuant to its diversity jurisdiction. 28 U.S.C.

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Maryland Law