Battle Between Episcopal Church and Defectors Comes to Trial

From Falls Church-

The almost five-year legal conflict between the Episcopal Church in the U.S. (ECUSA) and breakaway congregations affiliated with the Convocation of Anglicans in North America (CANA) began its latest phase in the Fairfax County Circuit Court Monday. It may be the final chapter in the battle, among other things, over the historic Falls Church property.

The almost five-year legal conflict between the Episcopal Church in the U.S. (ECUSA) and breakaway congregations affiliated with the Convocation of Anglicans in North America (CANA) began its latest phase in the Fairfax County Circuit Court Monday. It may be the final chapter in the battle, among other things, over the historic Falls Church property.

The opening statements between the two sides (totaling more than 20 lawyers between them) were made in front of Judge Randy I. Bellows. Elaine Cassel, one of the lawyers representing the ECUSA, argued that a previous ruling supporting the ECUSA's ownership of the property was correct because it was "reasonable to assume the organization was united to the higher [church] authority" and that the congregation was bound to the general church rule and would need to seek approval before separating.

The lawyers for CANA, representing nine breakaway congregations in Virginia, responded with a lengthy and detailed explanation of why the ECUSA claim to the property was not legitimate according to both the church's constitution and Virginia law, arguing that the wider diocese did not have possession of the building and were simply using the word Episcopal as a "magic talisman" to grant them rights over any building with the word in it, violating, they claimed, Virginia code 57-7.1 and Green V. Lewis.

More here-

http://www.fcnp.com/news/9056-battle-between-episcopal-church-and-defectors-comes-to-trial.html