Local members of the Episcopal Church who did not break away from the national body today announced they have filed a court request for control of assets still held by diocesan leaders who have decided to break away.

The Allegheny County Court petition addresses "access to approximately $20 million in diocesan endowments and bank accounts, as well as other resources, some non-financial, used in conducting day-to-day diocesan business," according to a news release.

A majority of congregations in the Pittsburgh diocese last year decided to separate from the national church and chose Bishop Robert Duncan to continue to lead them.

First Published: January 8, 2009, 9:15 p.m.