“While the branch joined may operate as a separate polity from the branch to which the congregation formerly was attached, the statute requires that each branch proceed from the same polity, and not merely a shared tradition of faith,” [Virginia Supreme Court Justice Lawrence L.] Koontz wrote. “The record in these cases shows that the CANA Congregations satisfied the first of these requirements in that there was a division within TEC and the Diocese, but not the second, as CANA clearly is not a branch of either TEC or the Diocese.”
According Kelly Oliver of CRC Public Relations, a spokesperson for Truro Church, the ADV has until June 21 to appeal the decision, but it is not known yet whether the ADV will do so, or choose to fight the case in circuit court again. In the meantime, Baucum and the leaders of the other ADV churches are meeting with their respective vestries and congregations and each other, and will make a decision soon on how to proceed. No matter the decision, however, the ADV is confident that this battle is far from over.
“We are disappointed with the ruling and will review it as we consider our options,” said Jim Oakes, chairman of the ADV and longtime member of the Truro Church. “This is not the final chapter in this matter. The court’s ruling simply involved one of our statutory defenses ”¦ so, we continue to be confident in our legal position as we move forward.”Koontz wrote. “The record in these cases shows that the CANA Congregations satisfied the first of these requirements in that there was a division within TEC and the Diocese, but not the second, as CANA clearly is not a branch of either TEC or the Diocese.”