AP story on yesterday's decision in the Virginia property case. Virginia has a unique statute that deals specifically with this situation. No other state has such a law. The Episcopal Life article follows the AP linkNearly a dozen conservative church congregations in Virginia have won a lawsuit in which they sought to split from the U.S. Episcopal Church in a dispute over theology and homosexuality.
The final rulings came Friday from a Fairfax County judge who said the departing congregations are allowed under Virginia law to keep their church buildings and other property as they leave the Episcopal Church and realign under the authority of conservative Anglican bishops from Africa.
Several previous rulings had also gone in favor of the departing congregations. The diocese said it will appeal.
Eleven Virginia congregations were involved in the lawsuit, including two prominent congregations that trace their histories to George Washington — Truro Church in Fairfax and The Falls Church in Falls Church.
The congregations voted to realign in late 2006. Since then, the rift in the Episcopal Church has grown, and entire dioceses have voted to leave the denomination. Similar property disputes are expected there as well.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hpOXgHjPxhwsDgnk33vT0I2MRaxAD9561RV80
Episcopal Life Online-
http://www.episcopal-life.org/81803_103915_ENG_HTM.htm
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