GROTON _ Connecticut's Episcopal Diocese has filed a lawsuit against members of the Bishop Seabury Church in Groton.

Bishop Seabury's membership voted to leave the national church in a dispute over theology and the appointment of a gay bishop in 2003.

The Reverend Ronald Gauss was suspended by the church last week. He and 12 former and current church leaders,were served with the lawsuit this week.

The diocese says the church property is held in trust for the diocese and the national church. It says Gauss and the church leaders have refused to relinquish control of the property to a new priest.

Gauss says the diocese never asked for the keys, but says it can't have the records, because they are no longer the property of the Episcopal Church.

Bipshop Seabury members voted to join the Convocation of Anglicans in North America, part of the conservative Anglican Church of Nigeria.

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