Well, it's official: the judge overseeing a massive lawsuit pitting 11 breakaway Episcopal — now Anglican — churches in Northern Virginia against the Episcopal Church and the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia is about to announce the verdict — possibly this Friday. Judge Randy Bellows' clerk is e-mailing lawyers now to warn them, so it's coming down the pike.

Yours truly has been swamped with papal coverage so has neglected this column, sadly, but two words are due about l'affaire Episcopal. One is a farewell to Patrick Getlein, who's been handling media for the Diocese of Virginia for several years now. He may not miss all my e-mails and phone calls but Patrick was conscientious about getting back to us scribes. A story about his next port of call is here.

As for the folks who've left the Episcopal Church — and who are warring with the Virginia diocese over who owns the property, their most recent statements can be found here.

— Julia Duin, assistant national editor/religion, The Washington Times