Several religious denominations have petitioned the court to join the Diocese of Virginia and The Episcopal Church as the diocese seeks legal recognition of its claim to ownership of property now held by 11 congregations where the majority voted to affiliate with overseas Anglican provinces. Among those filing this week are the two other Episcopal dioceses in Virginia.

The list of denominations now includes the African Methodist Episcopal Church; the Church of the Brethren; the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America; the United Methodist Church; the Presbyterian Church, USA; the General Conference of the Seventh-Day Adventists; and the Worldwide Church of God. In some cases, local judicatories from these denominations have also filed separate briefs.

At issue is a Civil War-era Virginia statute which states that in the event of a denominational split, the congregation can determine the fate of local church property by a majority vote. Last month, Virginia Circuit Court Judge Randy Bellows issued a preliminary ruling in favor of the departing congregations. Oral arguments on the constitutionality of the statute are scheduled for May 28.

The Virginia Attorney General has already filed a brief with the court contending that the statute is constitutional.

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