The Episcopal Church on Tuesday asked Virginia’s highest court to overturn a judge’s decision allowing nine breakaway congregations to keep church property worth an estimated $30 million to $40 million.
The northern Virginia congregations split from the Episcopal Church in a disagreement over acceptance of gays, the ordination of female clergy and theological issues. They aligned with the more conservative Convocation of Anglicans in North America, which like the Episcopal Church falls under the umbrella of the Anglican Communion.
The Virginia Supreme Court could rule on the property dispute as early as June.
Lawyers for the Episcopal Church told the court that a Fairfax County judge erred in ruling that an 1867 law unique to Virginia allows the breakaway congregations to retain church buildings and other property. They also claimed the so-called “division statute” is unconstitutional because it allows the state to meddle in religious matters.