FORT WORTH, TEXAS (AP) - The Episcopal Church has filed a lawsuit seeking to regain control of church property from the breakaway Diocese of Fort Worth.
The lawsuit was filed Tuesday in Tarrant County district court. Defendants include Fort Worth Bishop Jack Iker, who led the theologically conservative diocese to split from the national church over issues including gay clergy and women in the priesthood.
The Iker-led group voted last year to join a more conservative province of the worldwide Anglican Communion.
The Episcopal Church maintains that its rules prohibit dioceses from breaking away and that church properties are held in trust for the denomination.
Iker told The Dallas Morning News by e-mail Tuesday that the lawsuit was expected.
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