Ohio: Episcopal diocese sues breakaway parishes

Wednesday, April 09, 2008
David Briggs
Plain Dealer Religion Reporter

The Episcopal Diocese of Ohio is suing to regain control of several churches that broke away in protest over the election of a gay bishop and other doctrinal issues that have divided the denomination.

Dissatisfied members of St. Barnabas Anglican Church in Bay Village, the Anglican Church of the Transfiguration in Cleveland, Church of the Holy Spirit in Akron, St. Luke's Anglican Church in Fairlawn and St. Anne in the Fields in Madison can leave the diocese, but they cannot hold on to the land buildings, the church said in the lawsuit filed in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court.

The diocese wants the court to rule that the church holds the rights to the property. the rest