CT: Big Win for Va.'s Breakaway Anglican Parishes in Property Fight

Sheryl Henderson Blunt
4/04/2008

Excerpt:

The case is one of several that TEC is currently litigating against breakaway congregations, according to a review of property litigation presented by David Booth Beers to the national denomination's executive council. Last October the Episcopal News Service cited Beers, TEC's Chancellor to the Presiding Bishop, as placing the total number of parishes in active litigation at 20 to 25. Beers also said lawsuits could be forthcoming in six other states "and a few other dioceses" — some of which have since been initiated.

The initial ruling is expected to embolden other churches and dioceses across the country that have announced their intentions to break from the denomination.

"We all have the freedom to choose with whom we want to associate," said Martyn Minns, missionary bishop of CANA, in an earlier interview with CT. "A lot of people being intimidated by TEC think they don't have that freedom."

Minns said that an ultimate ruling in favor of the breakaway congregations would further encourage churches to leave. "I think we'll see a lot of churches saying, 'We don't want to stay with the Episcopal Church,'" he said. the rest