Virginia Supreme Court to Hear Oral Arguments in Church Property Case Tomorrow

ADV Congregations Hold Vigils and Remain in Prayer

FAIRFAX, Va. (April 12, 2010) – Tomorrow, the Virginia Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in the church property case appeal made by The Episcopal Church and Diocese of Virginia challenging the ruling of the Fairfax County Circuit Court. The Circuit Court ruled in favor of the 9 Anglican congregations in Virginia, under the umbrella of the Anglican District of Virginia (ADV), confirming that the Anglican churches could keep their property.

Since the beginning of the legal battle three years ago, ADV has maintained that this is a case of protecting religious freedom and the right to stay true to the Gospel.

“Our church members are standing firm for the Gospel and will remain in prayer during this time. It’s unfortunate that this matter, which we tried so hard to resolve amicably out of court, has now reached the level of the state Supreme Court. While we remain confident in our legal footing, it’s regretful that we had to defend ourselves in the first place,” said Jim Oakes, Chairman of the Anglican District of Virginia.

“Protecting our religious freedom and our right to stay true to the Gospel has been costly, and we pray for a quick end to the litigation so that we can completely focus our time, money and energy on bringing new believers to Christ and helping those in need. Our doors remain open wide to all who wish to worship with us,” said Oakes.

The decision of The Episcopal Church and the Diocese to reinterpret Scripture caused the Anglican churches to sever their ties in December 2006 and early January 2007. In late January 2007, The Episcopal Church and Diocese of Virginia abruptly broke off settlement negotiations and filed lawsuits against the Anglican churches, their ministers and their vestries in an attempt to seize control of the Anglican churches’ properties.

In 2009, the Fairfax County Circuit Court ruled in favor of the orthodox Anglican churches by affirming that they could disaffiliate from The Episcopal Church (TEC) and keep their church property. In a series of landmark rulings during a thorough legal process extending over two years, the Court acknowledged that there were indeed divisions within TEC, the Diocese, and the larger Anglican Communion; affirmed that the Anglican churches could invoke the Virginia Division Statute (Virginia Code § 57-9) in their defense; ruled that the Virginia Division Statute was indeed constitutional; and concluded that the votes taken by the Anglican congregations were conclusive as to the title to and control of the property covered by their petitions under the Division Statute.

The Anglican District of Virginia (www.anglicandistrictofvirginia.org) is an association of Anglican congregations in Virginia. Its members are in full communion with constituent members of the Anglican Communion through its affiliation with the Convocation of Anglicans in North America (CANA), a missionary branch of the Church of Nigeria and other Anglican Archbishops. ADV members are a part of the worldwide Anglican Communion, a community of 77 million people. ADV is dedicated to fulfilling Christ’s Great Commission to make disciples while actively serving in three main capacities: International Ministries, Evangelism, and Strengthening Families and Community. ADV is currently comprised of 28 member congregations and three mission fellowships.