US Anglicans in Huge Legal Case

The first of a series of multi-million dollar court disputes between the US Episcopal church and conservative parishes that broke away after the consecration of a gay bishop opened in Virginia yesterday.

Legal costs have already reached close to $1m (£500,000) and Jim Oakes, a spokesman for the churches that broke away over the church's perceived liberal leadership, said: "I think it is tragic we are having to spend this money. We have said consistently we would much rather put that into mission work."

The Episcopal church - part of the worldwide Anglican communion headed by Dr Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury - has engaged top law firms to win back from the parishes what it claims is its property. Similar actions seem likely in Colorado and Pennsylvania. Two of the 11 breakaway churches in Virginia, Falls and Truro are estimated to be worth $25m. It is likely to be the most expensive court action in the church's history. Mr Oakes said the diocese had told people it had spent $500,000 so far and the breakaway churches had spent about $300,000 to $400,000.

Those involved in the cases, which are being heard in Fairfax county circuit court, predict that legal arguments will continue over the summer and into the autumn.

Most of the 11 churches left in December after a row that still threatens to tear the worldwide church apart, over the 2003 consecration of the openly homosexual New Hampshire bishop, Gene Robinson.

The Episcopal church is contesting state law that says a congregation can retain property if a majority votes to disassociate. It says the property belongs to those in the congregation who elected to remain members of the Episcopal church.