Les0131The breakaway Episcopal congregations in Virginia, who left in 2006 over the American denomination’s liberal theology, have lost the latest round in the legal battle over the church property. Some have warned their members to expect to move within a few months.

In a 113-page ruling issued Jan. 10, Fairfax County Circuit Court Judge Randy Bellows reversed a ruling he made in 2008 giving custody to the conservative congregations. The Virginia Supreme Court overturned that ruling in 2010 and ordered a new trial.

At issue is ownership of seven Virginia churches, including two prominent, historic congregations that trace their roots to George Washington: Truro Church in Fairfax and The Falls Church, for which the city of Falls Church is named. But it is not clear that the denomination, on the verge of finally winning the battle that began in 2006, has either the members or the money to keep operating the churches themselves.

The disputes within the Episcopal Church have raged openly since 2003, when the denomination consecrated an openly gay bishop in New Hampshire who had left his wife. The issues have since broadened to a range of theological issues, including fundamental interpretations of Scripture.

The lawsuit itself has been winding its way through the courts since 2007, shortly after Truro and The Falls Church voted overwhelmingly in December 2006 to break away from The Episcopal Church and align with the conservative Convocation of Anglicans in North America, a group supported by the Anglican Church of Nigeria.

The Episcopal Church, with about 2 million members, is a U.S. affiliate of the Anglican Communion, which has 77 million members worldwide. Many of the international branches in the Anglican church, especially those in Africa, are far more theologically conservative than the American and British wings. … MORE >>

Read Les Sillars and Grace Dobbs’ complete WORLD Virginia report.