California Supreme Court opinion
February 25, 2009
California Supreme Court upholds property opinion, denies request for rehearing
[The Episcopal News, Los Angeles] -- The California Supreme Court on Feb. 25 denied a request for rehearing Episcopal Church property cases and granted a request for modification of its Jan. 5 opinion to read, in part, "Applying the neutral principles of law approach, we conclude, on this record, that the general church, not the local church, owns the property in question."
The California Appellate Courts' website declared the case status "closed; remittitur issued."
The modification, which "does not affect" the original judgment, is also posted in full on the Supreme Court's website.
The modification further states: "For these reasons, we agree with the Court of Appeal's conclusion (although not with all of its reasoning) that, on this record, when defendants disaffiliated from the Episcopal Church, the local church property reverted to the general church."
The request for rehearing was filed in February by attorneys for St. James' Church, Newport Beach, where a majority of parishioners voted to disaffiliate with the Episcopal Church in 2004. Similar disaffiliation votes were taken thereafter in three out of some 147 congregations of the Diocese of Los Angeles.
"We are glad the matter is finally over," said Los Angeles diocesan chancellor John R. Shiner. "The modification of the opinion has not changed the fact that we have prevailed."
"We are pleased that the court has reiterated its opinion as final, and that there is no change in the judgment," Los Angeles Bishop J. Jon Bruno said Feb. 25. "We look forward to moving on in mission and ministry putting behind us the property difficulties of the past five years."
The California State Supreme Court issued an opinion on January 5 in a case concerning church property. An article concerning that opinion is reprinted below.
A Pastoral Letter from Bishop J. Jon Bruno that was read aloud in all congregations of the Diocese of Los Angeles on January 11, 2009 is available in PDF format here. A Spanish-language version of the Pastoral Letter is available here.
The Episcopal News, Diocese of Los Angeles: Bulletin
Note: A Spanish-language version of this story and Bishop Bruno's statement appears below.
For an Episcopal News Service updated story, click here.
California Supreme Court: disputed property belongs to Los Angeles diocese
Decision may have national implications; bishop to seek reconciliation with congregations
By Pat McCaughan, January 5, 2009
[Los Angeles, The Episcopal News] -- In a landmark ruling that could have national implications, the California Supreme Court on January 5 upheld an earlier court decision that buildings and property do not belong to three dissident congregations but to the Diocese of Los Angeles and the general Episcopal church.
Associate Justice Ming W. Chin, writing the opinion concurred to by all justices, said the diocese held the property and buildings in trust for the Episcopal Church's wider mission and ministry. The case involved St. James Church in Newport Beach, St. David’s Church in North Hollywood, and All Saints Church in Long Beach, where a majority of members realigned themselves with the Anglican Province of Uganda after The Episcopal Church (TEC) ordained an openly gay bishop. Members of the congregation had amended their articles of incorporation and attempted to retain the property.
Chin acknowledged that while the court cannot decide church doctrinal matters, it could decide property disputes, using a “neutral principles of law” approach. In rendering its decision the court examined property deeds, local church articles of incorporation, the general church’s constitution, canons and rules, and relevant statutes and concluded “that the general church, not the local church, owns the property in question.
“Although the deeds to the property have long been in the name of the local church, that church agreed from the beginning of its existence to be part of the greater church and to be bound by its governing documents,” Chin wrote.
“These governing documents make clear that church property is held in trust for the general church and may be controlled by the local church only so long as that local church remains a part of the general church. When it disaffiliated from the general church, the local church did not have the right to take the church property with it.”
Bishop Jon Bruno of Los Angeles said in a statement (see text below; www.ladiocese.org) that he is “overjoyed” and called it a decisive ruling. “We have prevailed in all areas of the law addressed in this case.” He added that he will seek “reconciliation with these congregations and will assure this diocese and the people of the Episcopal Church that we will continue mission and ministry in the areas these congregations serve.”
John R. Shiner, attorney for the diocese, said Monday’s ruling “will apply to all parishes throughout the State of California” and influence church property disputes nationally. “It’s been a long and arduous journey over the past few years,” he said. The decision, which upheld a 2007 appellate court ruling, is “final, conclusive, definitive,” he added.
Eric Sohlgren, of the Irvine-based Payne and Fears firm, who represented the congregations, did not return telephone calls Monday.
The ruling goes into effect within 30 days; the congregations have 15 days in which to petition the court to reconsider.
An updated report will follow a 2pm news conference at the Cathedral Center in Los Angeles, said Canon Robert Wiliams, media liaison for the Diocese of Los Angeles.
Statement from the Rt. Rev. J. Jon Bruno
Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles
"The Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles is overjoyed with the conclusive opinion of the California Supreme Court.
"We have prevailed in all areas of law addressed in this case.
"We look forward to the possibility of reconciliation with these congregations, and we assure that this Diocese and the people of The Episcopal Church that we will continue mission and ministry in the areas of these congregations.
"The mission of The Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Los Angeles continues, as our prayer book states, 'to restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ.' We will continue to seek this reconciliation with fellow Christians in the communities of Long Beach, Newport Beach, and North Hollywood, as well as La Crescenta, where Episcopal church properties continue as part of the Diocese of Los Angeles in accordance with the Court's opinion announced today.
"We acknowledge that this opinion establishes a precedent. We further note the pastoral concerns at this time within The Episcopal Church, which continues in its mission of service, especially in providing food, shelter, medicine, and pastoral care to those in greatest need locally and globally, respecting the dignity of every human being."
Opinión de la Corte Suprema del Estado de California
La Corte Suprema del Estado de California ha hecho público una opinión el lunes, 5 de enero en un caso concerniente a una propiedad de iglesia. Información adicional será colocada a esta página cuando se haga disponible. Traduccion: Oswald Perez
Las Noticias Episcopales, Diócesis de Los Ángeles: Boletín
Corte Suprema de California: Propiedad discutida pertenece a Diócesis Los Ángeles
La decisión podría tener implicaciones nacionales; Obispo pide reconciliarse con las congregaciones
Por Pat McGaughan, 5 de enero de 2009
[Los Ángeles, Las Noticias Episcopales] - en un fallo de marca que podría tener implicaciones nacionales, la Corte Suprema de California confirmó el 5 de enero de 2009 un fallo previo que establece que los edificios y la propiedad no le pertenece a tres congregaciones disidentes, pero sí a la Diócesis de Los Ángeles y a la Iglesia Episcopal general.
El Juez Asociado Ming W. Chin, escribiendo la opinión que coincidieran juntos todos los jueces, dijo que la diócesis sujetó la propiedad y los edificios en fideicomiso para las congregaciones individuales. El caso involucró a la Iglesia de San Santiago en Newport Beach, la Iglesia de San David en North Hollywood, y la Iglesia Todos-los-Santos en Long Beach, donde una mayoría de los miembros se realinearon con la Provincia Anglicana de Uganda después de que la Iglesia Episcopal ordenara al episcopado a un hombre abiertamente gay. Los miembros de estas congregaciones habían enmendado sus escrituras de constitución sin autorización e intentaron conservar la propiedad.
El Juez Chin reconoció que mientras el tribunal no puede determinar temas doctrinales eclesiásticos, podía determinar las disputas de propiedad, usando un enfoque de los "Principios neutrales de ley." En el transcurso de rendir su decisión el tribunal revisó las escrituras de propiedad, la escritura de constitución de la iglesia local, la constitución de la iglesia general, los cánones y las reglas, y las leyes parlamentarias relevantes y concluyó, "Que la iglesia general, no la iglesia local, poseía la propiedad en cuestión.
"Aunque las actas de la propiedad han estado en el nombre de la iglesia local por mucho tiempo, esa iglesia aceptó ser parte de la iglesia más grande y ser regida por sus documentos gubernamentales desde el origen de su existencia", Chin escribió.
"Éstos documentos gubernamentales establecen claramente que las propiedades de la iglesia son sostenidas en fideicomiso por la iglesia general y pueden ser controladas por la iglesia local solamente mientras esa iglesia local se mantenga como parte de la iglesia general. Cuando se desafiló de la iglesia general, la iglesia local no tenía el derecho de apropiarse de las propiedades de la iglesia."
El Obispo Diocesano de Los Ángeles, Jon Bruno dijo en una declaración (véase el texto abajo; el http://www.ladiocese.org/) que está "Rebosante de alegría" y calificó de ‘decisivo’ el fallo pronunciado. "Hemos prevalecido en todas las áreas de la ley dirigidas en este caso." Añadió que buscará la "Reconciliación con estas congregaciones y garantizaré a esta diócesis y las personas de la Iglesia Episcopal que continuaremos la misión y el ministerio en los vecindarios que estas congregaciones sirven."
John R Shiner, abogado para la diócesis, dijo que el fallo del lunes "Será aplicable a todas las congregaciones en todo el Estado de California" e influirá en las disputas sobre las propiedades de la iglesia a escala nacional. "Ha sido una jornada larga y ardua en los últimos años", dijo. La decisión, que confirmó un fallo del tribunal de apelación en 2007, es "Final, concluyente, definitiva", añadió.
Eric Sohlgren, de la firma de Payne y Fears, basada en Irvine, CA y que representó las congregaciones, no devolvió las llamadas telefónicas el lunes.
El fallo se convierte en efectivo dentro de 30 días; las congregaciones tienen 15 días para hacer una petición al tribunal para que reconsidere.
Se actualizará este informe una vez termine una conferencia de prensa a las 2:00 PM en el Centro Catedralicio de Los Ángeles, dijo el Canónigo Robert Wiliams, Coordinador de los Medios de Comunicación para la Diócesis de Los Ángeles.
Declaración del Reverendísimo J. Jon Bruno
Obispo Diocesano Episcopal de Los Ángeles
"La Diócesis Episcopal de Los Ángeles está rebosante de alegría con la opinión concluyente de la Corte Suprema de California.
"Hemos prevalecido en todas las áreas de la ley dirigidas en este caso.
"Esperamos con ansia la posibilidad de reconciliarnos con estas congregaciones, y nosotros garantizamos a esta diócesis y las personas de la Iglesia Episcopal que continuaremos desarrollando la misión y el ministerio en los vecindarios donde se encuentran estas congregaciones.
"La misión de la Iglesia Episcopal en la Diócesis de Los Ángeles continúa, como dice nuestro devocionario " Para restaurar a todas las personas a la unión con Dios y sí en Jesucristo." Continuaremos buscando esta reconciliación con los hermanos cristianos de las comunidades de Long Beach, Newport Beach, y North Hollywood, tanto como La Crescenta, donde las propiedades de la Iglesia Episcopal continúan siendo parte de la Diócesis de Los Ángeles conforme a la opinión de la Corte Suprema anunciado hoy.
"Reconocemos que esta opinión establece un precedente. Notamos las incumbencias pastorales dentro de la Iglesia Episcopal en este momento, que continúa en su misión de servir, especialmente in suministrar el alimento, la protección, la medicina, y el cuidado pastoral a ésos en la necesidad más grande a nivel local y mundialmente, con respecto a la dignidad de cada ser humano."
FROM EPISCOPAL NEWS SERVICE http://www.episcopal-life.org
January 5, 2009
California Supreme Court rules disputed property belongs to general church
Decision may have national implications; bishop 'looks forward' to reconciliation
[Episcopal News Service, Los Angeles] In a landmark ruling that could have national implications, the California Supreme Court on January 5 upheld an earlier court decision that buildings and property do not belong to dissident congregations but to the Diocese of Los Angeles and the general Episcopal Church.
Associate Justice Ming W. Chin, writing for the court, said the diocese held the property and buildings in trust for the wider mission and ministry of the church.
The ruling affects St. James Church in Newport Beach, All Saints Church in Long Beach and St. David's Church in North Hollywood.
A majority of members at the three churches had disagreed with the Episcopal Church's decision in 2003 to approve the election of an openly gay bishop. Members of all three realigned themselves with the Anglican Province of Uganda, attempted to amend articles of incorporation and retain the property.
Chin acknowledged that while the court cannot decide church doctrinal matters, it could decide property disputes, using a "neutral principles of law" approach. In rendering its decision, the court examined property deeds, local church articles of incorporation, the general church's constitution, canons and rules, and relevant statutes and concluded "that the general church, not the local church, owns the property in question.
"Although the deeds to the property have long been in the name of the local church, that church agreed from the beginning of its existence to be part of the greater church and to be bound by its governing documents," Chin wrote.
"These governing documents make clear that church property is held in trust for the general church and may be controlled by the local church only so long as that local church remains a part of the general church. When it disaffiliated from the general church, the local church did not have the right to take the church property with it."
Bishop Jon Bruno of Los Angeles said in a statement that he is "overjoyed" and called it a decisive ruling. "We have prevailed in all areas of the law addressed in this case." He added that he will issue a pastoral letter to the congregations and "invite reconciliation and people coming back" but declined to speculate further
He added that he also wanted to assure "this diocese and the people of the Episcopal Church that we will continue mission and ministry in the areas these congregations serve."
Bruno added that the court decision "establishes a precedent. We further note the pastoral concerns at this time within the Episcopal Church, which continues in its mission of service, especially in providing food, shelter, medicine, and pastoral care to those in greatest need locally and globally, respecting the dignity of every human being."
John R. Shiner, chancellor for the diocese, said the ruling "will apply to all parishes throughout the state of California" and influence church property disputes nationally. "The decision, which upheld a 2007 appellate court ruling, is "final, conclusive, definitive," he added.
In response to a question at a news briefing, Shiner said he doubted the ruling could be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court. "Of course, anything's possible, but today's ruling is so definitive," he said.
Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori's office issued a statement calling the decision "a ringing endorsement of this country's history of religious freedom, explicitly recognizing that judicial respect for a denomination's internal polity and rules is required by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, and is fully consistent with the application of the 'neutral principles' analysis."
The decision's "unequivocal reasoning applies generally throughout The Episcopal Church" and added she is hopeful it will bring remaining property disputes in California and elsewhere to a speedy conclusion.
The statement added: "We look forward to working with affected dioceses toward reconciliation and on a continuation of the Episcopal Church's mission priorities."
"We also are grateful for the ongoing faithful work of Bishop Jon Bruno and the Diocese of Los Angeles throughout this long and difficult process," the Presiding Bishop said. "Their continued dedication to the mission and ministry of the diocese in the midst of the litigation is commendable."
The Rev. Charles Robertson, Canon to the Presiding Bishop, said the ruling serves as a reminder that "we are stewards of the precious heritage that we maintain for future generations of the Episcopal Church."
But attorney Eric Sohlgren, who represented the congregations, said the case "is far from over."
"What's good about the decision from the perspective of St. James is that the court has adopted a rule of neutral principles of law in that church property disputes will be resolved by neutral, nonreligious factors," said Sohlgren in a telephone interview.
He said the case will be sent back to the original trial court, which ruled in favor of the Newport Beach congregation "because the Episcopal Church has never obtained a judgment in the court in its favor." An appellate court vacated an Orange County Superior Court ruling in favor of the congregation.
"The other decision being contemplated and it's too early to decide … is whether to take an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court." Sohlgren said the appeal would be based on a constitutional issue, of a court "enforcing a church rule that purports to create a trust interest in local property when other people in our society who are not churches cannot do so."
But Shiner, chancellor for the diocese, reiterated the opinion, noting that when the court applied the neutral principles of law approach it concluded that when the congregation "disaffiliated from the general church, the local church did not have the right to take the church property with it."
The ruling goes into effect within 30 days; the congregations have 15 days in which to petition the court to reconsider. Six of the court's seven members joined in the opinion. Associate Justice Joyce Kennard issued a separate opinion in which she concurred with the overall court's ruling but disagreed with some of the court's reasoning.
A dispute involving another congregation, St. Luke's of-the-Mountains Church in La Crescenta, is also pending before the California Supreme Court.
