Virginia's anti-gay Episcopal churches got some love from the state's Attorney General this week. Eleven churches broke away last year to align with international Anglicans who disapprove of the US-branches gay-inclusive policies. The split races some serious questions about property, namely: who gets what?

Now Virginia A.G. Bob McDonnell has taken the dissenters' side:

The attorney general urged Circuit Judge Randy I. Bellows to follow a state law dating back to the Civil War era in resolving the dispute.

That law allows a majority vote of the congregation to determine ownership and affiliation when a "division" has occurred within a religious denomination.

The Episcopal Church argues that the state law is unconstitutional because it requires that the court wade into theological issues such as whether a schism has occurred within the Episcopal denomination.

In his motion, McDonnell writes that the Constitution "does not require that local church property disputes be resolved by deferring to national and regional church leaders."

Rather than examining the actual property contracts, McDonnell hopes the court will simply look into whether the dissociation was done "properly".

Maybe God does hate fags…

Chicago-based Episcopal Reverend Tracy Lind lost her bid to become the Windy City's new Bishop. Instead, the Chicago diocese voted a Washingtonian named Jeffrey D. Lee as their new spiritual leader. NY Times provides more details:

The Rev. Tracey Lind lost her bid Saturday to be the second openly gay bishop of the Episcopal Church and the first female bishop of its Chicago diocese.

The Rev. Jeffrey D. Lee, rector of St. Thomas Church in Medina, Wash., won the election to lead the 40,000-plus member diocese.
…
The outgoing bishop, the Rev. William D. Persell, said the election “should not, in any way, be seen as a vote against a gay or lesbian person.” He said women make up a third of the rectors and vicars in the diocese, and that gays and lesbians are “some of our most creative clergy.”

Oh, yes, we gays can find 1,001 new things to do with a cross!

Breaking from the national Episcopal's "gay restraint," the California Diocese vowed to continue blessing same-sex unions. Bishop Marc Andrus said in a written statement:

I will continue to represent the Diocese in the ongoing Church and Communion-wide conversations on the full inclusion of LGBT people. I think the resolution properly augments my pastoral goal of caring alike for all of the people of the diocese, not reinforcing damaging distinctions.

The move should come as no surprise: Andrus has continually fought for gay rights and supports openly gay Bishop Gene Robinson, whose ascension sparked the international row.

The Episcopal Church seems to be coming apart at the seams after last weeks gay restraint decision:

Leaders of one of Georgia's oldest churches have voted to leave the Episcopal Church over its liberal-leaning interpretation of Scripture and acceptance of homosexuality.

Leaders of Christ Church, established in 1733, have been at odds with the national denomination for years, particularly after the Episcopal Church consecrated an openly gay bishop in 2003.

"We have witnessed how the Episcopal Church has separated itself from the historic Christian faith over the last few decades," said the Rev. Marc Robertson, rector of Christ Church.

Church leaders said Tuesday they had decided unanimously to join the conservative Province of Uganda under the worldwide Anglican Communion.

Considering the fact that 95% of Ugandans reportedly loathe gays, we're sure the Georgians will fit right in…

• Brooklyn lesbians calendar proves that New York's the most attractive city in America.

• Chicago's Fire Department calendar proves that New York's the most attractive city in America.

• Episcopal Church votes to "restrain" gay officiation, no official same-sex blessing.

• Senator Ted Kennedy comes out for ENDA hate crime legislation. Senate to vote Thursday.

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