Next steps regarding the McRaney v. NAMB lawsuit awaits the judge’s decision.
Both parties submitted their replies to the responses to the May 18 competing motions for summary judgments (read more here) by the June 8 deadline. The judge will decide how to rule on the motions, which could mean one of three different outcomes — a full dismissal, one aspect ruled on immediately and the rest played out in court, or everything continues on schedule for the September trial date.
Earlier reports stated the trial date had been moved to August from its initial date of early June, but the correct current date for the trial is Sept. 18, according to Will McRaney’s legal counsel Scott Gant.
The Baptist Paper will provide more context and information on this lawsuit over the weekend.
Editor’s Note — Aug. 15 update — The anticipated follow-up piece for June noted above did not work out as planned due to unforeseen scheduling conflicts. However, The Baptist Paper has learned that today, Aug. 15, the case was dismissed “for lack of subject matter jurisdiction.” “Adjudication of the Plaintiff’s claims in this lawsuit will clearly require the Court to inquire into religious matters and decision-making to a degree that is simply impermissible under the Constitution and the ecclesiastical abstention doctrine,” states the summary judgment report. To read more on the update, click here.
