The lawyer representing a local church attempting to retain its property after breaking away from the national Episcopal Church says reports of the demise of the parish in Belmont Heights are premature.
On Monday, the California Supreme Court upheld an appeals court ruling that St. James Parish of Newport Beach, which broke away from the Episcopal Church in conjunction with All Saints of Belmont Heights and St. David’s Church of North Hollywood in 2004, did not have the right to retain the property when it disaffiliated.
While that ruling has been widely interpreted as a defeat for all three of the breakaway churches, Lynn Moyer says that’s not the case.
“Our case hasn’t been heard yet,” said Moyer, who represents All Saints and St. David’s. “This isn’t over by any means.”
” Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl harbor?! He!! no! And it ain’t over now…”
Was it over when the Allies landed at Normandy? Hell no! But the outcome was clear, and duly followed.
If I were +Bruno, I wouldn’t plan on picking up the keys anytime soon.
Encouraging developments that have been slammed by our blogging lawyer cadre on the blogs ….here and Stand Firm.
If it is not spin then there is still a long road to go. My prayers are offerred to them.
Intercessor
I think that we should try a good old voters initiative to pass a law explicitly stating that churches in California are NOT exempt from the same trust creation rules (i.e. Statute of Frauds) as other organizations.
Unless of course retention of property is an integral part of a “church’s” theology (such as with TEC), in which case the supremes can rightly use some lame seperation excuse.
Jamesw, count me in!
Mike L, I think they should be required to prove that it IS part of their theology.