Truro, Apostles Must Give Up Churches by April 30

and six other congregations have less than two months to give up church property and funds. Even donations that were intended for congregation-use only must go to The Episcopal Church.

Fairfax County Circuit Court Judge Randy Bellows signed his final order Thursday night, notching a milestone in . The congregations have yet to announce whether they plan to appeal again.

"We hope that this will mark the end of this lengthy litigation," said Rev. Shannon S. Johnston, bishop of the Diocese of Virginia. "By closing this chapter, both the Diocese and the CANA congregations have the freedom to focus our energies on the mission and ministries of our respective congregations."

The congregations asked Bellows to reconsider giving donations made before the to TEC. They argued that many congregation members only donated money or gave gifts to their churches because they , never to be seen by The Episcopal Church.

"While our congregations will comply with the final order, we are saddened that the circuit court did not accept the motion for partial reconsideration and we continue to believe that, as a matter of religious liberty, it is the right of donors to restrict the use of their own gifts to the church of their choice," said Jim Oakes, spokesperson for the seven congregations.

TEC and the congregations also argued over who should make mortgage payments on three of the properties. Fairfax City's ' property on Braddock Road was included in the debate.

The Braddock property was purchased by the congregation in the hopes of building a new church there. They never found a buyer for their existing Pickett Road property and never built the church. They were also unable to sell the 20 acres on Braddock. 

Bellows told TEC representatives that once they reclaimed their churches, they'd be responsible for mortgage payments, loans, the good and bad that comes with owning property.

TEC has until March 30 to decide whether it wants the Apostles property on Braddock Road.

Truro, Apostles and the other congregations must forfeit all property acquired before Jan. 31, 2007 by April 30.

"We have several options if we need or want to stay past that date," said Truro Senior Warden Dan Van Ness. "We may negotiate a lease with the Diocese to remain for some period of time after April 30. Or if we appeal the ruling we can ask the court to prevent it from taking effect while the appeal is pending. At this point we are considering our options."

Truro Church and  in Fairfax City, and The Falls Church, were among the seven congregations to leave The Episcopal Church in 2006 because of the denomination's decision to elect an openly homosexual bishop. 

Truro Rector Tory Baucum will host litigation briefings on Saturday evenings. Sign up for a spot online.

Read Bellows' final order here.

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