Anglicans fighting over church property

Martin and Marty Cooper
OneNewsNow
9/17/2008

The bishop of the Convocation of Anglicans in North America says leaders of The Episcopal Church are increasingly intolerant towards those with whom they disagree.

According to Bishop Martyn Minns, division within the Anglican Communion -- which he argues was caused by liberal leaders in The Episcopal Church -- is widespread and painful. However, Minns says it is vital to stand for truth, even if church officials do not advocate traditional, biblical values.

That has meant that some churches, which have broken away from The Episcopal Church, have been sued by denominational leaders who want to keep valuable property, sanctuaries, and other buildings. Recently in Virginia, The Episcopal Church and the Diocese of Virginia lost a case to 11 Anglican congregations who were breaking from the denomination but wanted to keep their properties.

The Virginia Division Statute, according to Convocation of Anglicans in North America (CANA), "recognizes the right of a congregation to keep its property when a majority votes to disaffiliate from a divided denomination." The judge in the case ruled that The Episcopal Church and the Diocese did not assert their claims to the 11 properties in a timely manner. the rest