VirtueOnline

AUSTRALIA: Bishop in talks for big payout

Fri, 3 Jul 2009 14:10:00 -0400

AUSTRALIA: Bishop in talks for big payout

http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,25699851-2682,00.html?from=public_rss
July 1, 2009

EMBATTLED Anglican Bishop Ross Davies has conceded he is negotiating a payout to quit the Diocese of the Murray.

Bishop Davies, whose conduct is being investigated by Anglican Archbishop Jeffrey Driver, has broken his silence after details of his negotiations with the Diocesan Council were leaked following last month's Synod meeting.

Bishop Davies was asked at the Synod if he were seeking a payout of almost $1 million from the Diocese - as reported in the Sunday Mail last November.

WASHINGTON: New Anglicans split on women

Fri, 3 Jul 2009 13:10:00 -0400

WASHINGTON: New Anglicans split on women

By Julia Duin
The Washington Times
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/jul/02/new-anglicans-split-on-women/
July 2, 2009

Last week's birth of a new Anglican province in the dusty plains of north-central Texas left the question of women's ordination dangling in the air.

Of the 800 people attending the founding of the Anglican Church in North America, 368 were priests and deacons. Of that number, about 10 percent, or 36, of the clergy were female.

The new province is a mishmash of former Episcopalians, ranging from almost-crossing-the-Tiber Anglo-Catholics to low-church charismatics, and it's a mystery as to how they're all going to get along. Many are against ordaining women. Others are just as adamant that females be given access to the diaconate, priesthood and the episcopate. The Episcopal Church approved female priests in 1976 and elected its first female bishop in 1988.

UK: New fellowship 'to defend faith'

Fri, 3 Jul 2009 13:00:00 -0400

UK: New fellowship 'to defend faith'

by Toby Cohen
Church of England Newspaper
July 2, 2009

CELEBRATION and skepticism is greeting the launch of the Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans (FCA) in London on July 6.

Five Church of England bishops will take part in the day at Westminster Central Hall, alongside bishops from Nigeria, Uganda, America, and Australia.

Yet the organizers are being challenged with questions about the fellowship's credibility and true purpose, as critics claim the FCA will undermine the Church.

UK: For such a time as this: Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans (FCA)

Fri, 3 Jul 2009 12:40:00 -0400

UK: For such a time as this: Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans (FCA)

www.anglican-mainstream.net
July 2nd, 2009

There are various voices which claim that all is essentially well in terms of Anglican orthodoxy within the Church of England. The line has held: church doctrine on core Anglican essentials has not shifted, been adulterated, silenced or forfeit. We still enjoy religious liberty, after all. Another movement is just that - unnecessary, enervating, potentially divisive and damaging to the church's life. Most of the committed core are not concerned about what appears to drive the ideological engines of FCA. Why do they need to be?

Sadly, the 'facts on the ground' are unable to support this sanguine interpretation of church liberty, vitality and moral well-being, and reveal a distressing lack of awareness. One has only to think of what is actually happening in many of the leading churches of the land, not to mention out there in the 'real' world where growing numbers of Christians in the UK are being punished for holding the 'wrong' ethical view and then having the audacity to mention it at their place of work. The current legislation - the Coroners and Justice Bill and the Equality Bill - is but the most recent example of how 'gay' rights are trumping all others and silencing opposition, including that of orthodox Anglicans.

CALIFORNIA: Based House Church Says Church Building Got in Way of Discipleship

Fri, 3 Jul 2009 12:00:00 -0400

ORANGE COUNTY, CA. Based House Church Says Church Building Got in the Way of Discipleship

Christian Newswire
July 3, 2009

A recent study found many megachurch goers are content to be spectators at church, and one house church leader sees a lesson there - but it isn't what you might think.

A recent study by The Hartford Institute for Religion Research at Hartford Seminary and Leadership Network found that nearly half of megachurch attendees say they never volunteer at church and 32 percent say they give little or no money to the church.

But, house church leader and pastor Ken Eastburn of The Well isn't blaming megachurches for this finding. While he acknowledges the sheer size of megachurches may allow spectator Christians to more easily worship anonymously alongside active, engaged Christians, Eastburn cautions other church leaders not to miss what he sees as the deeper message from the study.

UK: Homosexual 'weddings' should be celebrated in church, says Chris Bryant

Fri, 3 Jul 2009 11:40:00 -0400

UK: Homosexual 'weddings' should be celebrated in church, says Chris Bryant

Homosexual "weddings" should be celebrated in churches, a Government minister has said in defiance of religious teaching.

By Martin Beckford, Religious Affairs Correspondent
The Telegraph
http://tinyurl.com/moykl6
July 3, 2009

Chris Bryant, who once posed in his underpants on a gay dating website, said he wanted clergy to be "much more open" to the idea of treating civil partnership ceremonies like traditional marriages.

However, his suggestion goes directly against the rules of the Church of England and the Roman Catholic Church, which state that only the union of a man and a woman can be celebrated by a priest in church. It comes as the Government is pushing through an Equality Bill that religious groups fear will force them to give jobs to homosexual youth workers or secretaries, even if their faith maintains that same-sex relationships are sinful.

Walking in St. Tikhon's footsteps - Terry Mattingly

Fri, 3 Jul 2009 11:20:00 -0400

Walking in St. Tikhon's footsteps

by Terry Mattingly
http://www.reporternews.com/news/2009/jul/02/religion-walking-in-st-tikhons-footsteps/?partner=RSS
July 2, 2009

It didn't take long for controversy to spread about the photograph taken after the consecration rites in 1900 for a new bishop in Wisconsin.

Low-church Episcopalians called it the "Fond du Lac Circus" because of all the ornate vestments. Not only was Bishop Charles Chapman Grafton, who presided, wearing a cope and miter, but so were the other bishops. Then there was the exotic visitor on the edge of the photograph -- Bishop Tikhon of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Holder: 'Gays' protected, ministers not. Attorney Gen. testimony on'hate crimes'

Fri, 3 Jul 2009 11:00:00 -0400

Holder: 'Gays' protected, ministers not. Attorney general's testimony on 'hate crimes'

By Bob Unruh
2009 WorldNetDaily
July 03, 2009

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder says a homosexual activist who is attacked following a Christian minister's sermon about homosexuality would be protected by a proposed new federal law, but a minister attacked by a homosexual wouldn't be.

The revelations come from Holder's recent testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee, which was taking comments on the so-called "hate crimes" proposal. It also was the subject of discussion on talk radio icon Rush Limbaugh's show today.

Welcome the Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans - Andrew Carey

Fri, 3 Jul 2009 07:00:00 -0400

Welcome the Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans

by Andrew Carey
Church of England Newspaper
July 3

So why should anyone support FCA and why should it be launched now? Firstly, it's a way of supporting Anglicans in North America who are struggling to remain Anglican in very difficult circumstances.

Secondly, it's a direct link to the Global South provinces.

Thirdly, this is hardly a time to be wringing your hands about who you want to mix with. The urgent need is to be organised now, not leave it far too late, as it was in America.

For myself, the Rubicon was crossed in the Church of England when the Bishops' guidelines accepted civil partnerships among clergy. Despite the pretence that these conformed to the 1991 document Issues in Human Sexuality, it opened the door to the acceptance of non- marital sexual relationships. While these had been anomalous before hand, their acceptance meant that the teaching of the Church of England was now muddied and confused.

FCA Conference...TEC Faces Worst Sex scandal...GC2009 Resolutions..ABC to GenCon

Fri, 3 Jul 2009 05:40:00 -0400

Episcopacy: more than one form. Whatever the case may be made out historically for a distinctive monarchical episcopate, there is no express biblical warrant for it. The furthest we can go is to say that there are adumbrations of it in the New Testament -- of the office without the title -- in the wider oversight exercised by some resident apostles like James (if he was an apostle) in Palestine and John in Asia, and by apostolic delegates like Timothy in Ephesus and Titus in Crete. As a result, the later development of the monarchical episcopate may certainly be recognized as a flower which grew from a biblical seed. But it is only one form of episkope and cannot claim to be the only one. The normal episkope of the New Testament was congregational, not diocesan; plural, not monarchical ---From 'The New Testament Concept of Episkope: An Exposition of Acts 20:17-38' in "Bishops in the Church", ed. R. P. Johnston

Secret theology committee unmasked

Thu, 2 Jul 2009 09:50:00 -0400

Secret theology committee unmasked

by Simon Sarmiento
Thinking Anglicans
http://www.thinkinganglicans.org.uk/archives/003849.html
July 1, 2009

Lisa Fox has published all but two of the names of the group studying same-sex relationships. For background here is the early June report.http://www.thinkinganglicans.org.uk/archives/003815.html

So here are eight of the ten theologians serving on the panel to study same-sex relationships.

Co-facilitators:

Private meeting with Williams at convention will address sexuality, ministry

Thu, 2 Jul 2009 06:50:00 -0400

Private meeting with Williams at convention will address sexuality, ministry

By Mary Frances Schjonberg,
July 01, 2009
[Episcopal News Service]

Eight members of the Episcopal Church's House of Deputies are scheduled meet privately with Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams at General Convention in a session that is intended in part to address lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) issues in the church.

General Convention meets July 8-17 in Anaheim, California, and Williams will be present July 7-9.

The session is not an official convention meeting and thus there has been no announcement of the plans. However, when contacted by Episcopal News Service, the Rev. Canon Michael Barlowe of the Diocese of California confirmed the details.

Be Faithful - Wallace Benn

Thu, 2 Jul 2009 06:10:00 -0400

Be Faithful

by Bishop Wallace Benn
July 2nd, 2009

The title for the launch of the Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans in Westminster Central Hall at 10.30 on July 6th says it all: Be faithful. That is our calling as Anglican Christians today. The Scriptures exhort us to remain faithful to the faith 'once for all delivered to the saints', to the Lordship of Christ and hence to Apostolic teaching and practice.

Powerful cultural forces, exerted through social pressure, the media and legislation are forcing Christians to conform to the way of the world in matters of marriage and sexuality. The Episcopal Church in North America, the Anglican Church of Canada and others have embraced these forces and, often without due process and against natural justice, are forcing out those Anglicans who seek to remain faithful to Biblical teaching and practice. In the church in the West generally there is a gradual slide in the same dangerous direction.

On being moderately faithful: Why Fulcrum is wrong about the FoCA

Wed, 1 Jul 2009 21:50:00 -0400

On Being Moderately Faithful: Why Fulcrum is wrong about the Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans

By Charles Raven,
SPREAD
http://www.anglicanspread.org/
July 2, 2009

Monday, 6th July, sees the launch of the Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans (FCA) in Britain and Ireland at 'Be Faithful' in Westminster Central Hall as orthodox streams of Anglicanism unite together around the historic Jerusalem Statement and Declaration celebrated by the GAFCON delegates just over twelve months ago. For those who long for the Anglican Churches of these islands to become safe places for the gospel of Christ, this is profoundly hopeful. 'Be Faithful ' is a very apt title for the day because it captures the same sense of urgency which brought so many to Jerusalem a year ago, convinced that the Anglican Communion had come to a fork in the road as historic as the sixteenth century reformation.

Convention to consider increased funding, name change for missionaries

Wed, 1 Jul 2009 16:30:00 -0400

Convention to consider increased funding, name change for missionaries

By Matthew Davies
http://ecusa.anglican.org/79901_111594_ENG_HTM.htm
June 30, 2009

[Episcopal Life] For centuries, sending forth missionaries has been central to the Episcopal Church's engagement throughout the world, but a fresh look at appropriate terminology and current levels of financial support is in the cards.

General Convention will be asked to increase funding and to switch to the term "mission partner" instead of "missionary" to help to reinvigorate this work and define more accurately its emphasis on relationship building and interdependence.

SECOND CONTINENTAL CONGRESS, 1776 FIRST PROVINICIAL ASSEMBLY, 2009 -David Bena

Wed, 1 Jul 2009 16:30:00 -0400

SECOND CONTINENTAL CONGRESS, 1776 FIRST PROVINICIAL ASSEMBLY, 2009

Some similarities

By Bishop Dave Bena
July 1, 2009

This weekend, we will all celebrate a magnificent event: the two hundred twenty-third anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. After struggling so long under an oppressive mother government, the Thirteen Colonies made a dramatic and risky decision. They would break with England and become an independent nation. It was risky for a number of reasons. They might lose the war; and even if they won the war, they might not be recognized by other nations. They might even win the war and then be thrust into such an economic depression that they would once again be enslaved by another nation. Declaring independence was risky, all right. But they had a taste for freedom

CREATED EQUAL

Wed, 1 Jul 2009 16:00:00 -0400

CREATED EQUAL

Ted Schroder,
July 5, 2009

The second paragraph of the Declaration of Independence begins with these famous words: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal." Human equality wasn't evident to everybody of course. Many rulers were hierarchical. Many societies were elitist, and still are. Even the founders of the American Republic did not extend political equality to women and slaves. It took many years of agitation and much spilt blood for that to come about. Even today we are not all equal.

There is not complete equality because we begin life with different advantages and disadvantages: health, wealth, intelligence, personality, location, etc. We strive for equality of opportunity, but some take advantage of their opportunities and others squander them. Yet, the truth remains: we are all created by God equally valuable in his sight. Each one of us is precious to God. There are no favorites in the kingdom of heaven. All of us are created as children of God, made in his image. Belief in the equality of man is derived from a belief in God who created us and Christ who redeemed us. Equality is the teaching of the Bible.

Obama's Gay Agenda

Wed, 1 Jul 2009 10:30:00 -0400

Obama's Gay Agenda

By Mike McManus
June 30, 2009

You have doubtless heard that the President declared June, the month with the most traditional weddings - to be LGBT Pride Month. That's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month. To conservatives, this was horrifying.

However on June 11 Assistant Attorney General Tony West asked a Federal Court in California to dismiss a lawsuit by two gay men who were "married" in California, to declare the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) to be unconstitutional, because it allows states that do not recognize same-sex marriages, to ignore the "marital rights of such couples." And DOMA also disallowed any federal benefits to same-sex marriages, such as Social Security.

Gay Episcopal Activist Arrested on Pedophile Charges He Molested Own Children

Wed, 1 Jul 2009 09:30:00 -0400

Gay Episcopal Activist Arrested on Pedophile Charges He Molested Own Children

By David W. Virtue
www.virtueonline.org
7/1/2009

A gay Episcopal activist who is a fan of New Hampshire Bishop V. Gene Robinson and a Duke University official has been charged in federal court with offering his 5-year-old adopted son up for sex.

Frank Lombard, associate director of the Center for Health Policy, was arrested Wednesday in Raleigh, the FBI said.

An unidentified informant, who already faces child porn charges in a different child sex case, pointed investigators to Lombard, according to court documents. The informant told investigators he met Lombard on the Internet four years ago. The informant described in graphic detail how he allegedly observed Lombard molesting an African-American child on four occasions over an Internet video chat service called ICUii.

'Telling it like it is'? Standpoint, Michael Nazir Ali and Rowan Williams

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 17:40:00 -0400

'Telling it like it is'? Standpoint, Michael Nazir Ali and Rowan Williams

By Charles Raven
SPREAD
http://madmimi.com/promotions/13703402420934/raw?fe=1&pact=134037746
June 30, 2009

A year after 'Breaking Faith with Britain', written for the launch of ' Standpoint' magazine (www.standpointmag.co.uk) Bishop Michael Nazir Ali again sets out the case for a return to Judaeo-Christian values in another powerful critique for the July/August issue, noting that both the financial crisis, which has intensified over the past twelve months, and the recent Westminster expenses scandal, so hugely destructive of public confidence in Parliament, are further evidence of a nation seriously adrift from its historic values.

UK: Three church leaders jointly condemn Lords backdoor bid legalise euthanasia

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 14:10:00 -0400

UK: Three church leaders in joint condemnation of Lords backdoor bid to 'legalise euthanasia'

By Daily Mail Reporter
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/
June 30, 2009

The country's most senior religious leaders yesterday declared their opposition to laws that would allow families to travel abroad and help terminally ill relatives die.

The Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams, Chief Rabbi Sir Jonathan Sacks and the Archbishop of Westminster Vincent Nichols condemned an attempt to change the law by amending the Coroners and Justice Bill.

Michael Jackson, Media Greed and the Demise of Democracy

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:10:00 -0400

Michael Jackson, Media Greed and the Demise of Democracy

By John W. Whitehead
June 30, 2009

The zombies may have stalked Michael Jackson on camera in his music video Thriller, but it was the media vampires who hounded him off camera and eventually sucked him dry. For years, the media pundits crucified the man they dubbed Wacko Jacko in order to titillate readers and amuse viewers. Now, they've deified him in death for the very same purpose.

It doesn't matter whether you're talking about tabloid news, entertainment news or legitimate news shows--as the Jackson coverage shows, there's little difference between them anymore. They all exist for one purpose, and that is to make money. If what sells is entertainment news, then the Jackson coverage is a good indicator of exactly how dangerous celebrity-driven news has become for our country and our democracy.

ACNA'09: AMIA Chairman issues Special Report on ACNA Assembly

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:00:00 -0400

ACNA'09: AMIA Chairman issues Special Report on ACNA Assembly

by Bishop Charles H. Murphy
June 30, 2009

Dear Friends,

Bishop Murphy videoLast week the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) met in provincial assembly, and delegates formally ratified both the Constitution and Canons. In a service on Wednesday night, Archbishop Robert Duncan was installed as the province's first archbishop and primate. It is important for us in the Anglican Mission to understand fully what this means for us.

The Anglican Mission has played a significant role in establishing the province, and I am including below a list of bullet points that outline the various ways we have contributed to making this new entity a reality. As a founding member of both the Common Cause Partnership and the emerging province, we will continue to fully participate in ACNA. As we have consistently explained, however, we remain a missionary outreach of the Province of the Anglican Church of Rwanda under the authority of Archbishop Emmanuel Kolini. This allows us to enjoy dual citizenship, a similar relationship to that of the Convocation of Anglicans in North America (CANA).

The Articles of The Federation of Anglican Churches (and Ministries) in the Am.

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 10:30:00 -0400

The Articles of The Federation of Anglican Churches (and Ministries) in the Americas Article

1: Name (Back to Top)

The Name shall be called the Federation of Anglican Churches in (FACA)

Article 2: Basis (Back to Top)

1. FACA is a Federation of Anglican Provinces or Jurisdictions in North and South America which hold to the primacy of Holy Scripture, the Ecumenical Creeds and Councils, adhere to the 39 Articles of Religion, and the principles of the Chicago-Lambeth Quadrilateral. Each member jurisdiction has adopted one of the historical Books of Common Prayer (as the primary standard for worship). The autonomy of the individual Provinces, or Jurisdictions and their local parishes is in no way restricted or superceded by membership in FACA.

FT. WORTH: Bishop Iker Responds to Threatening Letters from Bishop Gulick

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 10:00:00 -0400

FT. WORTH: Bishop Iker Sends Memo to Clergy Concerning Threatening Letters from Bishop Gulick

http://www.fwepiscopal.org/news/memotoclergy063009.html
June 30, 2009

In recent days I understand that all of you have received two threatening letters from representatives of the rump diocese. The first is a letter from The Rt. Rev. Edwin F. Gulick, Jr., the Bishop of Kentucky, in a capacity he claims as the "Provisional Bishop" of the rump diocese, threatening to inhibit and then depose you if you do not recognize his authority over you as your bishop.

The second is a letter from Jonathan Nelson, legal counsel for the Gulick-led group, addressed to our vestries, treasurers, and finance committee members, as well as to all our vicars and rectors. It too is meant to intimidate and control us.

http://www.fwepiscopal.org/news/memotoclergy063009.html
June 30, 2009

In recent days I understand that all of you have received two threatening letters from representatives of the rump diocese. The first is a letter from The Rt. Rev. Edwin F. Gulick, Jr., the Bishop of Kentucky, in a capacity he claims as the "Provisional Bishop" of the rump diocese, threatening to inhibit and then depose you if you do not recognize his authority over you as your bishop.

The second is a letter from Jonathan Nelson, legal counsel for the Gulick-led group, addressed to our vestries, treasurers, and finance committee members, as well as to all our vicars and rectors. It too is meant to intimidate and control us.

NEW YORK: New North American Anglican grouping won't last says gay bishop

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 17:30:00 -0400

NEW YORK: New North American Anglican grouping won't last says gay bishop

by Chris Herlinger
ECUMENICAL NEWS INTERNATIONAL
http://www.anglicanjournal.com/100/article/new-north-american-anglican-grouping-wont-last-says-gay-bishop/?cHash=c73c6d0805
June 29, 2009

A new North American group claiming to embrace "traditional Anglican values" will not last long, the Episcopal Church's first openly gay bishop has predicted.

Bishop Gene Robinson, an openly homosexual man living openly with a partner, whose 2003 consecration as bishop of the diocese of New Hampshire created a backlash among traditional believers within the U.S., church, told Ecumenical News International he does not believe the new Anglican grouping has long-term viability.

Bishop Gulick seeks loyalty from 70 Diocese of Fort Worth clerics

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 14:50:00 -0400

Bishop Gulick seeks loyalty from 70 Diocese of Fort Worth clerics

By Mary Ann Mueller in Houston
Virtueonline Special Correspondent
www.virtueonline.org
6/16/2009

FORT WORTH, TX---The royal purple-edged letter arrived in The Rev. Christopher Culpepper's vicarage mailbox on June 22. It bore the letterhead and seal of "The Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth", but after reading the first paragraph, Fr. Culpepper knew it was not from his bishop, The Rt. Rev. Jack Iker, but rather from The Rt. Rev. Edwin Gulick, Jr., the provisional bishop of the North Texas Episcopal diocese. Editor's note: The Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth is the legal name for the Anglican diocese headed by Bishop Iker.

The Advocate of the Episcopal Church

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 12:40:00 -0400

The Advocate of the Episcopal Church

by Mike Adams
http://townhall.com/columnists/MikeAdams/2009/06/29/the_advocate_of_the_episcopal_church
June 29, 2009

About two months ago, I heard from an old friend with whom I had lost touch. Most of what he had to say revolved around his relationship with a man with whom he is now living. It's the man he started dating after he left the man he left his wife for. It's all so confusing it has me ending my sentences with prepositions. And prepositions are a horrible thing to end sentences with.

After listening to an update on his love life, I asked my old friend whether he was going to church. He said he wasn't going anymore. He had left his previous church because they refused to allow gay deacons. He said he and his boyfriend needed a church that is more tolerant. I'm going to recommend that he give The Episcopal Church of the Advocate in Carrboro, North Carolina a try.

ACNA eulogized...CA Parish Heads to US Supreme Court..Nth Texas Hires Gay Lawyer

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:40:00 -0400

ACNA eulogized...CA Parish Heads to US Supreme Court...Gay Vestryman arrested...Nth Texas Diocese Hires Gay Lawyer

The Christian pastor. The pastor is primarily a teacher. This is the reason for two qualifications for the presbyterate which are singled out in the Pastoral Epistles. First, the candidate must be 'able to teach' (1 Tim. 3:2). Secondly, he must 'hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it' (Tit.1:9). These two qualifications go together. Pastors must both be loyal to the apostolic teaching (the *didache*) and have a gift for teaching it (*didaktikos*). And whether they are teaching a crowd or a congregation, a group or an individual (Jesus himself taught in all three contexts), what distinguishes their pastoral work is that it is always a ministry of the Word. --- From "The Contemporary Christian" by John R.W. Stott

NEWPORT BEACH, CA: Breakaway churches file appeal with U.S. Supreme Court

Sun, 28 Jun 2009 19:30:00 -0400

NEWPORT BEACH, CA: Breakaway churches file appeal with U.S. Supreme Court

By North County Times wire services
http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2009/06/28/faith/doc4a47e37f2fb6f914219462.txt
June 28, 2009

Lawyers for a Newport Beach church whose split with the Episcopal Diocese sparked a legal tussle over the parish property asked the U.S. Supreme Court earlier this week to decide issues of religious freedom they have raised.

St. James Anglican Church won its first round against the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles in 2005, when Orange County Superior Court Judge David Velasquez, during pretrial motions, sided with its claim to the property and tossed the diocese's lawsuit.