Virginia judge affirms parish property rights

I left the Episcopal church prior to it becoming a SECULAR church and tossing Christ's difficult teachings out the window. The Episcopal church has chosen the secular over Christ's teachings; it is no longer a Christian religion, in my opinion. I LOVED my church; I grew up in it and hoped to raise my children in it. The Bishop may be a wonderful man, but he is arrogant for allowing the division his appointment has caused. The courts have ruled appropriately. The more conservative churches had NO CHOICE but to leave. THEY are the true Episcopal faithful...

FLN, Do you consider it "Christian" to bear false witness against others? Because that is what you just did. And it appears you also believe it is "Christian" for the Church of Nigeria to steal that which never belonged to them? If these are examples of what you call "Christian," then no, I'm not one, and have no desire to be one. I will however, continue to be a faithful follower of Jesus Christ, and an Episcopalian.

The Virginia division statute has been in effect for too long for it to be a "surprise" to the Episcipal Diocese leaders who are trying to punish the local parishes for deciding to split from the "mother" church. Despite this well known division statute, the legal title to the parish lands and real property has been maintained in the names of parish-based trustees. This practice could have been changed during less contentions times if the Episcipal Diocese leaders wanted to have the legal and financial responsibility for liability and other costs of holding the property in the Diocese's name. Now when it is a matter of parishes rejecting the Diocese, division is a natural legal issue and the Diocese suddenly steps forward to claim legal title never asserted previously. Ronald Etters, Virginia 6/27/08

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ As a ‘cradle Episcopalian’ I sought an alternative church following the Eugene Robinson fiasco earlier this decade. It was difficult, but I sought, knocked, and found more than one Bible-based church in the D.C. area (… try radio WAVA - FM 105.1) I feel saddened for my many Episcopal/ CANA church friends – but I’ve also come to discover that Bible-based Christianity is much, much bigger than anyone’s ‘legal institutions’ -- as Paul the Apostle must have discovered. Christians believe there is only one way to salvation through repentance and acceptance of Jesus Christ as your personal savior; and like Paul, I don’t intend to turn back. Peace and grace to you. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Paul is not unclear about those who sue fellow Christians - he describes them as "utterly lost" (see 1 Cor 6:1-8). Peter Lee could have continued to negotiate in good faith (pun intended), and told Ms Schori to butt out of diocesan business. Instead he showed the spine of a squid and allowed lawyers from the national church to come in and sue. He has spent millions of diocesan money, mortgaged the diocese and sold off unrestricted land to fund this fiasco, land that, none-the-less was given by donors for purposes of the Gospel - not to line lawyers' pockets. Peter Lee's folly. Sad. Utterly lost. He may have fatally compromised the entire diocese.