ENS: CONNECTICUT: Judge says Groton church property belongs to diocese, Episcopal Church

By Mary Frances Schjonberg, March 18, 2010

[Episcopal News Service] A state superior court judge ruled March 15 that the real and personal property of Bishop Seabury Episcopal Church in Groton, Connecticut, is held in trust for the Diocese of Connecticut and the Episcopal Church.

Judge Barry Stevens granted a request for such a ruling from the diocese and the Episcopal Church in a lawsuit against the former rector and vestry members of the parish, which is named for the first Episcopal bishop and Groton native Samuel Seabury (1729-1796).

Former rector the Rev. Ronald S. Gauss and some former members of the parish, including then-vestry members, affiliated with the Convocation of Anglicans in North America (CANA) in November 2007. Gauss has since refused to relinquish control of the church property, including the keys to the buildings and parish records. the rest