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II'd be interested in finding out which of these parishes are "Anglo-Catholic"/"high church" and which are "evangelical"/"low church."

Rabscuttle,

Can you answer this?

Good morning.....I'd like to point out that all this talk about the so called $27 million or so value of these parishes property is just that, a lot of talk.

First, the land, because of its location, is exceedingly valuable, but it is NOT zoned for residential or commercial development. I mean, it's not like the diocose, if it wins the legal battle, will be able to tear down the buildings and erect a mall or an office tower.

The diocese would be in a position similar to the owner of an apartment in NYC..vacant, it might be worth millions, but because it has a tenant and is rent controlled, it may be worth only 10% of its fair market value. The buildings themselves are probably on some historic registers, and can only be used for their present purposes, i.e. a church and parish activities. And their cost and upkeep, as well as the surrounding property, is considerable, and viable only because of the support of the congregation.

So I suspect that the smarter heads in the diocese will try and avoid a legal battle...and try to get the parishes to purchase the property for as much as they can extort from them..perhaps a few million. The alternative makes NO sense.

Suppose that the diocese spends millions in legal fees, and after some time, does win. It then possesses an empty building, which propably costs a fortune to run, and it will be farcial to see about 50 or so, at best worshippers in it each Sunday.

Apostles is mix-and-match...although leaning towards the low church side. I believe that the others are similar.