Settlement in Dispute Over Episcopal Name

A conservative splinter group of the Episcopal Church has agreed to drop the use of the denomination’s historical name, the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America.

The agreement was part of a court-approved settlement of a lawsuit that was filed early last year by two bishops in behalf of their New Jersey dioceses. The suit charged the conservative group, known as PECUSA, with trademark infringement, unfair competition, and misrepresentation. Among other things, it alleged that the use of the name would probably cause confusion among donors who might believe that they were contributing to the larger church body when they were not.

The agreement to drop the use of the denomination’s historical name applies only to the State of New Jersey, although a PECUSA spokesman said that the group had decided in September — well before the lawsuit was settled — to change its name nationally. He said that a new name is likely to be announced shortly.