Leaders in the Los Angeles diocese quickly suggested that Monday\u2019s ruling might have a \u201cchilling\u201d\u009d effect on other congregations considering leaving the national church. But [Martyn] Minns disagrees.<\/p>\n
Minns is missionary bishop of the Convocation of Anglicans in North America (CANA), a group of more than 70 congregations and 150 clergy in 21 states. Founded in 2005, CANA was established as a diocese-like home for breakaway U.S. Anglican churches. The group includes 11 Virginia churches that last month prevailed in the largest U.S. property dispute in Episcopal Church history.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think [the California decision] might have a negative impact on some congregations, but most are leaving over principle, not property,\u201d\u009d said Minns, speaking by phone from Nigeria. \u201cMany congregations have chosen not even to contest [ownership of church] property. We\u2019re doing this because we believe in something,\u201d\u009d namely the inerrancy of Scripture and its status as the final, objective authority in all matters, including sexual morality.<\/p>\n