Among other things, a lawyer for the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia told the justices that the 2008 ruling relied on an 1867 state law he contends improperly favors church governance by congregation over governance by hierarchy.
At stake, say the churches, is $30 million to $40 million in buildings and other property. The hearing was packed and broadcast via a closed-circuit television to two nearby rooms to accommodate everyone wishing to attend.
After the hearing, Henry D.W. Burt II, the secretary and chief of staff for the diocese, said: “Today was simply the next step in our journey to return faithful Episcopalians to their church homes.”
Steffen N. Johnson, a lawyer for the departed churches, which formed the Anglican District of Virginia, said “the argument went very well. It was a lively bench with good questions for both sides . . . and we look forward to the court’s decision.”
After the hearing, Henry D.W. Burt II, the secretary and chief of staff for the diocese, said: “Today was simply the next step in our journey to return faithful Episcopalians to their church homes.”
Just like the how the Episcopal Diocese of Central New York saved the Church of the Good Shepherd for “the purposes for which its Episcopal ancestors had acquired and built it”. Except that it’s now an “Islamic Awareness Center”. I wonder what will happen to all of these properties if the judges rule in favor of TEC?
Well, if they’re lucky, they might be able to entice one out of twenty people to return. Otherwise, they’ll have to sell the properties to who knows whom.