NINE bishops have expressed "regret" for their actions connected to property litigation between the Episcopal Church in the United States and the dioceses of Fort Worth and of Quincy.

After attending a conciliation meeting, they signed a written agreement, promising not to sign any further affidavits or briefs against legal action of the Episcopal Church, and agreeing to act "in accordance with the action of the General Convention". Eight of the nine bishops also agreed to contribute towards the costs of the conciliation process.

Details of the process are confidential, the Episcopal Church says.

San Joaquin ruling. A court in California has ruled in favour of the secessionist diocese of San Joaquin in a property dispute. The initial ruling from the judge said that the Episcopal Church had failed to submit documents to prove that it owned church buildings, bank accounts, and a conference centre.

The dispute began in 2007, when the diocese of San Joaquin seceded from the Episcopal Church in the US. A few months later, the Episcopal Church launched a legal battle to seek the property that is in the seceded diocese's hands.