Pittsburgh: Court denies Anglican diocese appeal on property

Monday, April 04, 2011
By Ann Rodgers, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

State Commonwealth Court has denied a request for a rehearing from the Anglican Diocese of Pittsburgh, which is seeking to overturn a 2009 ruling by Allegheny County Judge Joseph James awarding all of its central assets to the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh.

The diocesan rivalry stems from the October 2008 convention at which the majority of the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh voted to leave the national Episcopal Church. According to an earlier series of court decisions and stipulations, the ownership of parish property is to be negotiated. At least two parishes that left the Episcopal Church have already reached agreements with the Episcopal diocese.

A spokesman for the Anglican Diocese of Pittsburgh said that its leaders intend to appeal the March 29 decision, but that the appeal will not stop parish property negotiations. the rest