Judge rules St. John's can keep assets, properties in five-year dispute with Episcopal Church

From Quincy-

St. John's Anglican Parish of Quincy will retain its properties and assets after a ruling by Judge Thomas Ortbal in Adams County Circuit Court that caps a five-year legal dispute with the Episcopal Church of the United States.

"We're pleased that the ruling came down in our favor," said the Rev. Patrick Smith, pastor of St. John's Anglican. "It's nice not to have that over our heads. We never were preoccupied with that or distracted by that, and we're very blessed to have a place to gather for fellowship, but (the ruling) does make our job easier."

Appeals are expected from the Episcopal Church of the United States, which had claimed ownership of St. John's properties and assets after a 2008 vote by the Diocese of Quincy to leave the Episcopal Church but remain in the Anglican Communion. St. John's is part of the Diocese of Quincy, headquartered in Peoria.

More here-

http://www.whig.com/story/23402716/judge-rules-st-johns-can-keep-assets-properties-five-year-dispute-episcopal-church-ends