In Re: Bronx Miracle Gospel Tabernacle Word of Faith Ministries, Inc.

Background

Jeanette Y. Brown filed an appeal on March 17, 2021, on her own behalf. The district court dismissed the appeal on July 16, 2021, because the filing fee had not been paid. The opinion states that the fee was later paid, based on the public docket of the related bankruptcy case.

The court then received a letter from Bernel A. Richardson, identified as a deacon of Bronx Miracle Gospel Tabernacle, Word of Faith Ministries, Inc., the debtor in the underlying bankruptcy proceedings. The letter asked the court to lift the dismissal and allow the church to continue in bankruptcy court. The attachments included an objection to dismissal of the church’s Chapter 11 case and a civil complaint asserting claims on behalf of the church and its members.

Court’s Analysis

The court concluded that the individuals listed in the letter could not prosecute Brown’s appeal for her. The opinion explains that people may represent themselves in federal court but may not appear without a lawyer on behalf of another person or entity. The court also observed that Brown was listed as a church minister but apparently did not write or sign the letter.

The court further stated that the letter and attachments did not appear to concern the issues in the February 3, 2021 order that Brown had appealed. Instead, they appeared to raise legal claims for the church itself. Because the church is an entity, the court stated that it must be represented in federal court by legal counsel.

Disposition

Judge Alison J. Nathan ordered that the court take no further action regarding the letter. The clerk of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York was directed to refund the filing fee upon request. The district-court clerk was also directed to mail a copy of the order to Bernel A. Richardson. The opinion does not decide the attachments’ claims concerning the bankruptcy case, the church’s property, alleged misconduct, or religious rights.