Trial Begins On Property Rights of Break-Away Virginia Episcopal Churches

In Fairfax County, Virginia today, the trial opens in the suit by the Episcopal Church and its Diocese of Virginia against eleven break-away churches now governed by the Anglican District of Virginia. (See prior posting.) The main issue is ownership of church property. A secondary issue is the right of members who remain loyal to the Episcopal Church to hold their own separate services on church property. Yesterday's Washington Times reports that the case involves two dozen lawyers. Originally an agreement had been worked out under which the Episcopal Church would appoint a property commission to decide how much each church would need to pay to break off and retain its property. However, in January, apparently ignoring these negotiations, the Diocese filed suit against the 11 churches.