Breakaway Northern Virginia Episcopal Parish Settles Property Dispute

One of the gay hating break away Episcopal parishes in Northern Virginia, Church of Our Saviour, in Oatlands, has settled its litigation over its attempt to seize the church building and assets from the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia. In the process, the parish reportedly squandered $400,000 that could certainly have been better used ministering to the poor, the sick and the hungry - you know, those things that Christ directed be done in the Gospel. But instead, bigotry and intolerance won out and the Gospel message of love of neighbor was thrown down the toilet. Increasingly, when one hears someone say they are a "conservative Christian," its a pretty good bet that they actions are diametrically opposed to the true message of Christ. They are modern day Pharisees. I hope a similar result will take place with other break away parishes which have aligned themselves with homophobic extremists in African dioceses. The Roanoke Times has coverage of the settlement. Here are some highlights:
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A small, conservative Anglican parish in Northern Virginia is settling its part of a costly property dispute with the Episcopal Church.
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The Church of Our Saviour, Oatlands, voted Sunday to settle its land dispute. The deal requires the congregation to give up its claim to the old church building. The congregation will get a five-year lease with the diocese, but is prohibited from affiliating with breakaway parishes.
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Longtime rector the Rev. Elijah White said the parish spent $400,000 in the dispute over the property.