Judge Rules in Favor of Breakaway Va. Congregations

Associated Press
Friday, December 19, 2008

Nearly a dozen conservative church congregations in Virginia have won a long-running lawsuit in which they sought to split from the U.S. Episcopal Church in a dispute over theology and homosexuality.

A Fairfax County judge made the final rulings today. He said the departing congregations are allowed under Virginia law to keep their property as they leave the Episcopal Church and realign under the authority of conservative Anglican bishops from Africa.

The Episcopal Diocese of Virginia argued it was the true owner of the church property and that the congregations' votes to leave the Episcopal Church were invalid.

The diocese said it will appeal the rulings.

Several previous rulings in the case also had gone in favor of the departing congregations. the rest

Anglican District of Virginia wins church property case

Statement of the Diocese of Virginia

Written Opinions

Added: Conservatives win court case in Va. church dispute