Defrocked Episcopal Priest Sues His Lawyer

(Jan. 4) -- A former Episcopal priest in suburban Philadelphia who lost a legal battle with his bishop has filed a malpractice suit against the attorney who represented him in the case.

The Rev. David Moyer of the Church of the Good Shepherd in Rosemont -- who has spoken out against liberal trends in the Episcopal Church -- was removed from the priesthood in 2002 by Bishop Charles Bennison Jr. In October, a Montgomery County jury ruled that Bennison did not act fraudulently in deposing Moyer, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported.

Despite his ouster, Moyer continues to serve as Good Shepherd's rector.

Other lawyers hired by the parish found "clear evidence of malpractice" by attorney John Lewis, a church official told the newspaper. Moyer and his church have now filed suit against Lewis seeking millions in compensation for the costs of the trial and alleged damage to the reputations of the ex-priest and the parish.

Lewis -- a member of Good Shepherd for 10 years who said he considered Moyer "my friend" -- denied the accusations and estimated he had done $700,000 worth of legal work at no charge in Moyer's case against the bishop. Lewis and his law firm are countersuing Moyer and the parish, according to the Inquirer.

Get Details: The Philadelphia Inquirer