Lawsuits Against Los Angeles Congregations Dismissed
12/07/2006

Lawyers for The Episcopal Church did not add "anything legally material" to the case against three former Episcopal congregations that left the Diocese of Los Angeles with their property in 2004, according to Orange County Judge David Velasquez, who dismissed the last remaining lawsuits against the congregations earlier today.

Judge Velasquez originally dismissed the appeal last October, but allowed lawyers to amend their complaints. The original suit was dismissed in favor of the parishes last year. California and a handful of other states rely on neutral principles of law in deciding property disputes among churches and similar voluntary organizations. The majority of states defer to the organization's hierarchical bylaws.

Neither the diocese nor the national church has a rightful claim on land, buildings or items such as hymnals and prayer books, Judge Velasquez ruled. The Dec. 7 hearing was attended by lawyers for St. James', Newport Beach; St. David's, North Hollywood; and All Saints', Long Beach. Lawyers for the national church and John Shiner, who represents the Diocese of Los Angeles, participated via teleconference.

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