Episcopal Diocese claims $20 million in schism fight (Round up)

The text below is from this morning's Post-Gazette. Links to other stories about this follow-

In papers filed yesterday in Allegheny County Common Pleas Court, the Episcopal Diocese argued that the Anglican group stipulated in October 2005 that if it were to leave the church, all property and assets held by the "Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh of the Episcopal Church of the United States of America ... shall continue to be so held ... regardless of whether some or even a majority of the parishes in the Diocese might decide not to remain in the Episcopal Church of the United States of America."

The Rev. Peter Frank, a spokesman for the Anglican diocese, said that's not what his side intended in signing the stipulation.

He said that his organization has the majority of the parishes, and that the group left as a diocese.

"We haven't had to rebuild anything," the Rev. Frank said. "They're the smaller group. They didn't win the vote. Our contention is that we are the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh."

The Rev. James Simons, president of the governing diocesan Standing Committee, said that doesn't make sense.

"They are now the Anglican Diocese of the Southern Cone," he said. "The affiliation is with South America."

It will be up to the court to sort through the issue.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09009/940667-85.stm

Pittsburgh Tribune Review-

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/cityregion/s_606299.html

Episcopal Life-

http://www.episcopal-life.org/81803_104151_ENG_HTM.htm

Philadelphia Inquirer-

http://www.philly.com/philly/wires/ap/news/state/pennsylvania/20090108_ap_pittsburghsepiscopalchurchsuesfor20million.html

Associated Press-

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5i5Yn_49L0Rn5F3aRIaDudVnCgnigD95JAISO0