A California Supreme Court opinion released today “does not detract at all” from the high court’s 2009 opinion affirming that property occupied by local parishes is held in trust for the general church, said John R. Shiner, lead attorney for the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles.
“All the Supreme Court has done is send the case back for further proceedings consistent with its earlier opinion,” Shiner said of today’s 6-1 opinion concluding that a lower court should address contentions made by St. James’ Church, Newport Beach. These arguments include the statement that a 1991 letter may influence the issue of property ownership. The property dispute began in 2004 when a majority of members of the parish voted to disaffiliate from the Episcopal Church.
Is Bishop Bruno serious? “Please continue to pray as we move toward the reality of a church united?” I don’t think so, Bishop! It is your own diocese and your own church which caused this mess in the first place, and you know it. Blaming others for something that they didn’t cause seems to be endemic in TEC. St James’ congregation is entitled to their day in court so that they can argue their case. The California Supreme Court has made its decision, and you need to stop arguing against it.