The Diocese of Los Angeles has won another appeal in the ongoing dispute with two breakaway congregations.
The Los Angeles Times reports:
An Orange County Superior Court judge on Thursday ruled in favor of the Episcopal Church in its long-running legal dispute over the rightful ownership of the properties of two congregations that seceded from the church years ago.
Judge Kim Dunning granted a motion for summary judgment filed by the Episcopal Church in its cases against St. David’s Anglican Church in North Hollywood and All Saints Anglican Church in Long Beach, declaring the church properties were held in trust for the diocese and national church.
St. David’s and All Saints left the six-county Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles and the national church in 2004 because of differences over biblical interpretations and liberal views on homosexuality and other issues.
After the churches left, the diocese sued to retain its property.
The California Supreme Court in 2009 ruled in favor of the Los Angeles diocese in its battle against St. James in Newport Beach, stating that the property was held in trust for the diocese and national church.
ENS has a statement from Bishop Bruno:
“I give thanks for this ruling. After nearly eight years, we appreciate the Court’s conclusion confirming the church properties of All Saints and St. David’s belong to the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles,” said the Rt. Rev. J. Jon Bruno, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles.
The judge set up a conference to work out how to proceed with the property issues.