{"id":29814,"date":"2020-12-09T23:09:53","date_gmt":"2020-12-10T04:09:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/?p=29814"},"modified":"2021-10-04T12:08:10","modified_gmt":"2021-10-04T16:08:10","slug":"cccc-attended-supreme-court-of-canada-hearing-on-the-aga-case-today","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/intersection\/2020\/12\/09\/cccc-attended-supreme-court-of-canada-hearing-on-the-aga-case-today\/","title":{"rendered":"CCCC Attended Supreme Court of Canada Hearing on the Aga Case"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"
Supreme Court of Canada. Photo: Barry W. Bussey<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

CCCC\u2019s Director of Legal Affairs, Barry W. Bussey, represented the CCCC at the Supreme Court of Canada\u2019s virtual hearing today (Dec 9) in the case of Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church of Canada St. Mary Cathedral, et al. v. Teshome Aga, (39094)<\/a>. CCCC was granted the opportunity to intervene in the case, and to file a brief, but was not given time for oral argument.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Brief Fact Summary<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Several members of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church St. Mary Cathedral were on a committee that investigated a movement within the congregation. The committee reported to Archbishop Dimetros that the movement was heretical. The committee recommended action, including purging of heretics. When Archbishop Dimetros did not follow their recommendations, the committee members were robust in their opposition \u2013 to the point that they were warned of church discipline. Finally, they were suspended from membership. In response, they then sued in court.  The church in return asked for summary judgment to dismiss the lawsuit. The Ontario Superior Court of Justice agreed with the church and dismissed the disgruntled members\u2019 lawsuit, noting that the courts have no jurisdiction to hear such cases. However, the members appealed to the Ontario Court of Appeal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Court of Appeal stated that courts could <\/em>hear the case because there was a contract between the members and the church. The contract exists, said the Court of Appeal, because the members pay \u201cfees\u201d to the church monthly; the terms of the contract are the constitution and bylaws of the church. That decision contradicted the Supreme Court of Canada\u2019s 2018 Highwood Congregation of Jehovah\u2019s Witnesses case<\/a> that decided, \u201creligious groups are free to determine their own membership and rules; courts will not intervene in such matters save where it is necessary to resolve an underlying legal dispute\u201d (para. 39).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
The Supreme Court of Canada on the Banks of the Ottawa River<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Court Hearing Toda<\/strong>y<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Much of today\u2019s hearing centred around the arguments of whether or not there was a contract between the members and the Church. Mr. Philip H. Horgan, legal counsel for the Church, argued that there was no contractual relationship. Rather, the Church is a voluntary religious community with an Archbishop who has spiritual authority over his congregation. The Church has an aspirational requirement that the members pay tithes, but such payments are gifts. They are donations and one does not lose membership because one is unable to donate. There was and is, said Mr. Horgan, no legal right in dispute that needs to have a secular court\u2019s review. This matter concerned a religious dispute. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr. Anthony Colangelo, legal counsel for the plaintiffs, argued that indeed there was a legal contract with the constitution and bylaws forming the terms of the contract. Mr. Colangelo insisted that the dispute was not religious because the Archbishop dismissed the plaintiffs, not over doctrinal issues, but because they wanted transparency in reporting on the committee\u2019s findings. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to the parties, the court heard from nine other lawyers who represented interveners. Three more interveners \u2013 the Canadian Centre of Christian Charities, the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada, and the Catholic Civil Rights League \u2013 filed written submissions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The CCCC raised concerns about the Court of Appeal\u2019s decision that equated donations to consideration in a formal legal contract. Such a position runs contrary to the common law and to the Income Tax Act. The idea that religious communities and their members are engaged in a civil contract would mean a church could sue a member for not paying \u201cfees\u201d in accordance with the membership contract. It is simply unheard of.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Indeed, Justice Russell Brown quipped that the plaintiff\u2019s interpretation \u201csounds like a very strange kind of contract to me.\u201d By the same logic, he suggested, courts could be called upon to tell someone to stop presenting themselves for communion. Mused Justice Brown, \u201cthat\u2019s not why I become a judge [\u2026]. I don\u2019t want to make those kinds of orders, and I don\u2019t think I have the power to do it.\u201d He reminded the plaintiffs that \u201cpart of enjoying freedom of association is deciding who I don\u2019t want to associate with. And the collective expression of the membership of this group was [that] certain members can no longer associate. And we\u2019re supposed to interfere with that? Especially on the basis of a dispute about [\u2026] \u2018desecration and contravention of the faith\u2019?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Similarly, Justices Rosalie Abella, Suzanne C\u00f4t\u00e9, Malcolm Rowe and Nicholas Kasirer all raised questions that seemed to cast doubt on the plaintiff\u2019s position.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As far as Justice Rowe was concerned, the plaintiffs were conflating several legal principles \u201cwhich it\u2019s unwise to mix up\u201d. He observed, first, that \u201cprocedural fairness, natural justice, relate to the exercise of the authority of the state by delegates who\u2019ve been granted authority. And the courts have wanted to ensure that the exercise of state authority is not misused [\u2026] When we look at contracts, it\u2019s a different frame of reference.\u201d Justice Rowe also objected to the plaintiff\u2019s argument that \u201cfairness concerns [such as notice, fair hearing, right to make representations] are applicable,\u201d since, as Rowe countered, \u201cthese are concepts in criminal law\u201d where \u201cextraordinary measures and exceptional rules are put in place to ensure that there is the most unscrupulous fairness because of the nature of the interests which are at stake. And you\u2019re trying to transpose things which have to do with the [\u2026] heavy hand of the state.\u201d By contrast, Rowe emphasized that when there is no legal right at issue, there is no place for a court to interfere. He speculated, \u201cWhat if the Archbishop says, \u2018Look, I prayed to God and I received guidance.\u2019 Are we supposed to say \u2018Well, what did he tell you?\u2019\u201d Clearly, to follow the plaintiff\u2019s position would be to entangle the court in theological matters. And, as Justice Brown concluded, \u201cwe\u2019re not in the business of that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Supreme Court has reserved its decision in the case, and we expect that sometime in 2021 it will be released.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI am confident,\u201d said Barry W. Bussey, \u201cthat there will be a decision in favour of the Church in this case.  The Ontario Court of Appeal erred in law in this matter. Given the fact that the Supreme Court was both willing to hear this case in the first place, and asked such probing questions today, it appears the Court is aware of the importance of making a distinction between internal matters of religious communities and matters involving legal rights.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

CCCC\u2019s Director of Legal Affairs, Barry W. Bussey, represented the CCCC at the Supreme Court of Canada\u2019s virtual hearing today (Dec 9) in the case of Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church of Canada St. Mary Cathedral, et al. v. Teshome Aga, (39094). CCCC was granted the opportunity to intervene in the… More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":29821,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ts_fic_featured_image_caption":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[137],"tags":[],"series":[],"class_list":["post-29814","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\nCCCC Attended Supreme Court of Canada Hearing on the Aga Case - CCCC Blogs<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"CCCC\u2019s Director of Legal Affairs, Barry W. 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For the second time in three years, the Supreme Court of Canada (SCC) will hear a case about the right of a church to determine their\u2026","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_0056-3.jpg?fit=600%2C600&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_0056-3.jpg?fit=600%2C600&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_0056-3.jpg?fit=600%2C600&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":32064,"url":"https:\/\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/intersection\/2021\/06\/16\/why-supreme-court-got-it-right-in-extending-the-wall\/","url_meta":{"origin":29814,"position":1},"title":"Why Supreme Court got it right in extending the wall","author":"cccc","date":"June 16, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"The following editorial was originally published by The Lawyer's Daily, a division of LexisNexis Canada In free and democratic societies, membership in a religious community is premised on freedom: the freedom of the individual to apply and the freedom of the community to accept (or reject) the applicant. That also\u2026","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Measure-wood-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Measure-wood-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Measure-wood-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Measure-wood-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Measure-wood-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":28959,"url":"https:\/\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/intersection\/2020\/04\/10\/coalition-seeks-leave-to-intervene\/","url_meta":{"origin":29814,"position":2},"title":"Coalition Seeks Leave to Intervene","author":"cccc","date":"April 10, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"The Canadian Council of Christian Charities is joining with the Christian Legal Fellowship (CLF) and the Association for Reformed Political Action (ARPA) in applying for leave to intervene in the Aga case.[1] The case began when five members of St. Mary\u2019s Cathedral were expelled over an investigation into alleged heresy\u2026","rel":"","context":"In \"aga case\"","block_context":{"text":"aga case","link":"https:\/\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/tag\/aga-case\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":29286,"url":"https:\/\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/intersection\/2020\/06\/18\/supreme-court-to-hear-church-case\/","url_meta":{"origin":29814,"position":3},"title":"Supreme Court To Hear Church Case","author":"cccc","date":"June 18, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"The Supreme Court of Canada (SCC) has agreed to hear the case involving the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church of Canada St. Mary Cathedral v. Aga et al.\u00a0 The case involves an internal church dispute that found its way into the civil courts. In 2018, the SCC in the Wall decision\u2026","rel":"","context":"In \"judicial review\"","block_context":{"text":"judicial review","link":"https:\/\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/tag\/judicial-review\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/IMG_5851.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/IMG_5851.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/IMG_5851.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/IMG_5851.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/IMG_5851.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/IMG_5851.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":26723,"url":"https:\/\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/intersection\/2017\/12\/02\/oral-argument-of-cccc-at-the-supreme-court-of-canada\/","url_meta":{"origin":29814,"position":4},"title":"Oral Argument of CCCC on TWU at the Supreme Court of Canada","author":"cccc","date":"December 2, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"On November 30 and December 1 the Supreme Court of Canada held hearings on the Trinity Western University School of Law Case.\u00a0 Below are the arguments given by CCCC in-house counsel Barry W. Bussey on December 1.\u00a0 While Barry presented the argument it was a collaborative effort with co-counsel Philip\u2026","rel":"","context":"With 3 comments","block_context":{"text":"With 3 comments","link":"https:\/\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/intersection\/2017\/12\/02\/oral-argument-of-cccc-at-the-supreme-court-of-canada\/#comments"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Supreme-Court-on-TWU-1-300x165.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":26526,"url":"https:\/\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/intersection\/2017\/11\/06\/cccc-makes-oral-argument-at-wall-case\/","url_meta":{"origin":29814,"position":5},"title":"CCCC Makes Oral Argument At Wall Case","author":"cccc","date":"November 6, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Below is the written text of the oral argument I made at the Supreme Court of Canada on November 2, 2017. Note:\u00a0 The written legal brief \"Factum\" filed by CCCC in the court can be found here. For a video of the oral arguments at the hearing see:\u00a0 The Supreme\u2026","rel":"","context":"In \"freedom of religion\"","block_context":{"text":"freedom of religion","link":"https:\/\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/tag\/freedom-of-religion\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Supreme-Court-on-Wall-1-2-300x169.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p30X8p-7KS","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29814","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=29814"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29814\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/29821"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=29814"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=29814"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=29814"},{"taxonomy":"series","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/series?post=29814"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}