Episcopal division expected to carry over to property dispute

More from Ann Rodgers at the Post-Gazette

The Episcopal Church has recognized a remnant of about 20 churches that refused to secede with more than 50 others. Both sides claim to be "The Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh of the Episcopal Church of the United States of America" that in 2005 signed a legal stipulation saying that it owned diocesan property.

The same stipulation said parishes wishing to disassociate from that diocese could apply to it for parish property. This week the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh (Anglican) wrote to churches aligned with the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh, telling them to apply to the Anglican diocese for their property.

That's backward, said the Rev. James Simons, president of the Standing Committee governing the Episcopal diocese until it elects an interim bishop.

"It's a bit like Alice in Wonderland," he said of the Anglican claim to be the diocese named in the court stipulation. "That stipulation specifically says that it's about parishes wanting to leave 'the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh of the Episcopal Church of the United States of America,'" he said. "By their own decision, they are no longer a part of the Episcopal Church of the United States, which is what the stipulation is about."

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08285/919252-85.stm