Separation of church and politics
Sunday, Feb 03, 2008
By JEFF E. SCHAPIRO
TIMES-DISPATCH COLUMNIST

Mother always said it was impolite to discuss politics, money and religion. It's too easy for someone to take offense.

So one can only imagine the bruised feelings in what, in legal papers in Fairfax County Circuit Court, is turgidly entitled the "Multi-Circuit Episcopal Church Property Litigation."

Since 2006, in the running quarrel over the ordination of gay people and the blessing of same-sex unions, 11 conservative parishes in Northern Virginia have bolted the Episcopal Church, taking with them millions of dollars in property: buildings, land, stock.

The church says the breakaway congregations can't keep those assets, that they belong to the Episcopal Church because it is a hierarchical entity. the rest