Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Virginia Congregations Present Opening Arguments, Call Witnesses

http://www.livingchurch.org/publishertlc/viewarticle.asp?ID=3947

[The Living Church] 14 Nov 2007--Lawyers representing 11 congregations that voted to leave the Diocese of Virginia presented opening arguments and called their first witnesses this morning in a Fairfax County courthouse. The Episcopal Church reserved the right to make its opening statement at a later time. The trial is expected to last six days.

The dispute involves ownership of historic church buildings dating back to the early part of the 18th century and prime real estate worth tens of millions of dollars. Many of the 11 congregations remain in the buildings where they formerly worshiped as Episcopalians. The 11 are now part of the Convocation of Anglicans in North America (CANA), a missionary outreach of the Anglican Church of Nigeria. Bishop Martyn Minns, the former rector of Truro Church, one of the 11 congregations, was consecrated Bishop for CANA in August 2006.

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