The Supreme Court of Virginia just ruled in favor of the Episcopal Church of the Diocese of Virginia, but the ongoing debate over which religious group owns church property could last for years to come.
The property tug-of-war is far different from the common real estate fights that Henry Burt, secretary of the diocese, dealt with during his days as a lawyer at a big firm.
“This dispute would be a lot simpler if we were arguing over ownership of an office building in Rosslyn or on K Street,” said Burt. Those types of property battles between two parties, he explains, typically involve money and can get resolved fairly quickly.
“What we have here are not simply property issues,” he said. “This is not about property or money — it’s about sacred space. Places where generations of Episcopalians have gotten married, baptized and buried loved ones. We have an obligation and duty to protect that legacy.”
[blockquote]…it’s about sacred space. Places where generations of Episcopalians have gotten married, baptized and buried loved ones. We have an obligation and duty to protect that legacy.â€[/blockquote]
Yes, I do see the irony.