Today marked the end of a five-day trial involving The Diocese of Virginia, The Episcopal Church and the churches of the Convocation of Anglicans in North America (CANA).  

The Diocese and The Episcopal Church were in court to safeguard church property for future generations. In the structure of The Episcopal Church, individuals may come and go but parishes continue. The CANA congregations voted to leave The Episcopal Church in protest and set out to separate themselves from The Diocese of Virginia. And yet they continue to occupy the Episcopal property--seeking control of it while loyal Episcopalians are forced to worship elsewhere. The Diocese has an obligation to prevent any unlawful transfer of Episcopal Church property and as such, was left with no choice but to seek legal intervention in order to protect the property for future generations of Episcopalians. 

For more information on the background of the trial, read the November 16 message from the Diocese and the page entitled "Property Dispute" found here. 

Judge Randy Bellows of the Fairfax Circuit Court heard diocesan testimony from John Keith of the Standing Committee; Dr. Ian Douglas of Episcopal Divinity School and the Anglican Consultative Council; Dr. Bruce Mullin of General Theological Seminary; the Rt. Rev. Peter James Lee; Patrick Getlein, registrar of the Diocese; and David Booth Beers, chancellor to the presiding bishop.

Bishop Lee and Bishop David Jones were present for the court's proceedings on Monday and Tuesday.

Attorneys for the Diocese and The Episcopal Church presented evidence on the polity, structure and governance of The Episcopal Church which demonstrated that, while individual clergy and laity may come and go, parishes remain a part of the Diocese. 

Judge Bellows is not expected to issue a ruling until mid-January at the earliest.

Visit the online Diocesan News Room for updates and information.