There may be some big changes ahead for two Virginian Episcopal branches. In response to openly gay Bishop Gene Robinson's 2003 ascension in New Hampshire, officals in Virginia are considering breaking away from the American branch of the Anglican Church. Rather than associating with what they feel to be too liberal a church, leaders from The Falls Church, in the City of Falls Church, and Truro Church, in Fairfax City are looking to affiliate themselves with the religion's Nigerian branch.

The Washington Post reports:

If the votes at The Falls Church and Truro succeed, as their leaders predict, the 3,000 active members of the two churches would join a new, Fairfax-based organization that answers to Nigerian Archbishop Peter J. Akinola, leader of the 17 million-member Nigerian church and an advocate of jailing gays. The new group hopes to become a U.S.-based denomination for orthodox Episcopalians.

You may remember that Akinola's a virulently outspoken opponent of gays, spouting some of pretty vile anti-gay rhetoric, such as called queers "a cancerous lump in the body [which] should be excised if it has defied every known cure." (Rude.)

Worth a combined $25 million, the churches risk losing everything if they split. It's also worth noting that our first President, Mr. George Washington, practiced at the Fairfax church. Upon hearing of the vote, Washington promptly turned over in his grave.