Standing on Principle

In what has been called "Ground Zero" in the fight for faithful Anglicanism, a state circuit court judge has handed a key victory to the 11 Virginia churches that voted to break away from the Episcopal Church (EC) over its growing hostility to the Gospel Truth. The EC's actions, including the consecration of an openly gay bishop, have done irreparable harm to its relationship with global Anglicans, leading EC membership to decline by the tens of thousands. When efforts to reconcile with the EC failed, orthodox churches in Virginia felt they had no choice but to vote to sever ties and realign as an outpost of the Anglican Church of Nigeria. But the stand for orthodoxy came at great cost to the Virginia faithful. Armed with wealthy endowments, the EC and Diocese of Virginia launched an unprecedented multi-million dollar suit against the 11 churches, their rectors, vestries, and trustees in early 2007, threatening to confiscate their property and church homes-some of which have stood near the nation's capital for 200 years. With scant resources, the 11 churches banded together in defense of their land, becoming a focal point of the national movement to preserve biblical Truth. Even Virginia's Attorney General Bob McDonnell weighed in, arguing that the parishes of the new Anglican District of Virginia (ADV) were entitled to their property under a Civil-War era division statute. Last Friday, Judge Randy Bellows agreed and ruled in favor of the 11 churches in what is certain to be a prolonged legal battle. Although the EC has indicated its intention to appeal, the significance of this victory could be felt well beyond these church walls. In a story of David versus Goliath proportions, the precedent established in Virginia could trigger a wave of exodus in other states. Already 200 American parishes have voted to disaffiliate with the EC, and similar property disputes have erupted in California and Ohio. As conservative Methodists and Presbyterians wrestle against their own liberal drift, all eyes are on Northern Virginia. What happens there could send a resounding message to every denomination's hierarchy that on Truth, God's people will not compromise.

Source: FRC.