From Catholic Online-
A Fairfax County Circuit Court ruled yesterday that the seven congregations, who have chosen to leave The Episcopal Church (TEC), must leave their buildings behind. Judge Randy Bellows delivered the decision in a 113-page document that returned control of the church properties to the Diocese of Virginia and The Episcopal Church.
Among the seven, two are among the most famous Episcopal parishes in the country - Truro Church, Fairfax and The Falls Church, Falls Church. The other five are Church of the Apostles, Fairfax; Church of the Epiphany, Herndon; St. Margaret's Church, Woodbridge; St. Paul's Church, Haymarket; St. Stephen's Church, Heathsville.
Judge Randy I. Bellows stated that the diocese and the Episcopal Church "have a contractual and proprietary interest in the property of these Episcopal churches." He indicated that, while the parishes had the right to separate themselves from The Episcopal Church and the diocese, "they had no right to take these seven Episcopal churches with them."
Tuesday's ruling was the culmination of a detailed review of the case after a June 2010 Virginia Supreme Court decision overturned Bellows' previous conclusion. Earlier, he had favored awarding the property to the separating congregations.
More here-
http://www.catholic.org/national/national_story.php?id=44372
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