Pittsburgh Episcopal church sues parishes for $20 million

PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Episcopal Church in Pittsburgh is suing its breakaway parishes to recover $20 million in assets it believes were wrongfully taken when the conservative branches split from the liberal diocese in October.

Spokesman Rich Creehan says the church made the request Thursday to the Court of Common Pleas after it was "ignored" by Bishop Robert Duncan's breakaway parishes.

A spokesman for the 50 branches that split off from the Episcopal Church of the United States says they now represent a majority of Pittsburgh Episcopalians. The Rev. Peter Frank says the assets should be fairly divided.

The split was due to differences ranging from homosexuality to biblical teachings on salvation. link

Claim filed to control local Episcopal Church assets
Thursday, January 08, 2009
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Local members of the Episcopal Church who did not break away from the national body today announced they have filed a court request for control of assets still held by diocesan leaders who have decided to break away.

The Allegheny County Court petition addresses "access to approximately $20 million in diocesan endowments and bank accounts, as well as other resources, some non-financial, used in conducting day-to-day diocesan business," according to a news release.

A majority of congregations in the Pittsburgh diocese last year decided to separate from the national church and chose Bishop Robert Duncan to continue to lead them. Here