The trial phase of the case involving 11 Virginia congregations where the majority voted to leave The Episcopal Church last year ended Nov. 20, a day ahead of schedule, after lawyers for both sides agreed not to call an expert witness on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
A decision is unlikely before late January, however. Yesterday Fairfax Circuit Judge Randy I. Bellows requested submission of all closing arguments in writing no later Jan. 17. The schedule calls for lawyers for the 11 congregations to submit their closing brief by Dec. 21. The diocese and national church then have until Jan. 11 to respond, with lawyers for 11 congregations required to submit their reply no later than Jan. 17.<\/p>\n
The dispute, which includes two Colonial Era churches and property worth tens of millions of dollars, began last year after the Diocese of Virginia contested a legal filing made by the 11 congregations with the Commonwealth of Virginia stating that a division had occurred. Under an 1867 Virginia law, the local congregation is entitled to decide \u201cby majority vote\u201d\u009d which side they wish to join. Majorities at the Episcopal congregations had voted to leave the diocese and affiliate with the Convocation of Anglicans in North America (CANA), a missionary branch of the Anglican Church of Nigeria.<\/p>\n