LOS ANGELES: EPISCOPAL DIOCESE SUES THREE CHURCHES

September 8, 2004 The Orange County Register

The Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles filed lawsuits Tuesday seeking to "secure and protect the church properties" at three local breakaway parishes, including St. James Church in Newport Beach.

The suits, filed in both Los Angeles and Orange County, aim to "preserve these churches as houses of worship for faithful Episcopalians as they have been since their founding," Bishop J. Jon Bruno said through his attorney.

The parishes, also including All Saints in Long Beach and St. David's in North Hollywood, broke from the Episcopal Church USA last month over a variety of differences, particularly the church's ordination of an openly gay bishop. The churches, which realigned with the Anglican Church of Uganda, insist they independently own their parish properties.

"We are deeply disappointed that the (diocese) has rejected the possibility of a peaceful resolution," parish leaders said in a written statement. They said they had not yet had an opportunity to review the lawsuits.

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Statement in Response to the Lawsuit Filed on Sept. 7, 2004, by the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles

We are deeply disappointed that the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles has rejected the possibility of a peaceful resolution. Instead, the Diocese has filed senseless and intolerant lawsuits against three local churches in an attempt to confiscate their property and buildings.

The local churches hold the deeds to these properties, and hundreds of church families have raised money to acquire and build them. We are amazed at the callous disregard of the religious rights of hundreds of families who overwhelmingly voted their conscience to disaffiliate from the Episcopal Church and the Diocese of Los Angeles.

The Diocese notified the media of these lawsuits today, not the three churches or their attorneys. After having an opportunity to review the lawsuits, the three churches will have further comment.

St. James Church, Newport Beach, Calif. All Saints' Church, Long Beach, Calif. St. David's Church, North Hollywood, Calif.

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