Virginia churches' dispute with Episcopal diocese come to a boil

A potential courthouse showdown looms this week between 15 Northern Virginia churches, including two that predate the Revolutionary War, and the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia.

At stake are beliefs neither side will compromise, millions of dollars in properties and legal precedents that may reverberate nationwide.

In the past six weeks, the 15 conservative churches voted to withdraw from the diocese. The diocese is part of the liberal-leaning, 2.3-million-member Episcopal Church, the U.S. branch of the 77-million-member Anglican Communion, which is more theologically conservative.

A 30-day "standstill" agreement, intended to keep both sides from suing to retain the properties, expires Wednesday. Diocese of Virginia Bishop Peter Lee said last week that it would not be renewed.

"It's fair to assume the diocese will move to retain the properties at all the separated churches on a case-by-case basis" because they are held in trust for all Episcopalians present and future, diocesan spokesman Patrick Getlein said. Read more