Nine Virginia congregations seeking to claim church property rights are appealing a state Supreme Court decision, asking the court to reconsider its ruling that a 19th century law does not apply to the current dispute with the Episcopal Church. The Court determined that the groups do not qualify as "branches" of the denomination.
"We are not challenging the court's legal interpretation of the relevant statute," said Anglican District Chairman Jim Oakes, "but we are pointing out that the court overlooked critical evidence showing that, even under that interpretation, the congregations have satisfied the statute."
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In a unanimous decision, the justices… sent the case back to Fairfax County Circuit Court to determine the ownership of the nine church properties based on real estate and contract law.
The BJC filed a brief with the court arguing the 150-year-old law is unconstitutional. See earlier post here.
