Parish update on the Bruno litigation from St James the Great Newport Beach
Dear members of the L.A. Diocese, bishops, and friends:
As we continue to patiently wait for a decision from the Hearing Panel in the matter of the Episcopal Church (TEC) Title IV Disciplinary Process against the Rt. Rev. Jon Bruno, we would like to share the following:
Back in November 2016, Bishop Bruno secretly obtained Standing Committee approval to sell St. James the Great while under the disciplinary process and pending the Hearing Panel in March. Witnesses for the bishop during the hearing knew of this action but did not divulge it during their testimony. To add insult to injury, members of the Standing Committee were present during the hearing and knew they had secretly voted to sell and deconsecrate the church, making a mockery of the Title IV process where the ultimate goal is to “resolve conflicts by promoting healing, repentance, forgiveness, restitution, justice, amendment of life and reconciliation among all involved and affected.”
The bishop then, acting as Corp Sole, secretly entered into escrow with another developer in April of this year while waiting for a decision from the Hearing Panel. Escrow was due to close on July 3rd. However, the Hearing Panel found out about the secret sale, sanctioned Bishop Bruno and told him not to sell the property. The bishop then appealed the sanction and the attorney for TEC has filed an opposition to the appeal. You can also see all these documents on our website:www.savesaintjamesthegreat.org
Yesterday, the attorney for TEC, sent the Hearing Panel an amendment to his Post-Trial Brief. He is asking for the bishop to be removed and deposed (defrocked) because of his egregious behavior, and for a forensic audit of Corp Sole to be conducted: “Accordingly, the Church Attorney recommends under Title IV.14.6 that Respondent be deposed from ministry forthwith. The Church Attorney further recommends that the Panel recommend to the Diocese of Los Angeles and the incoming Bishop a forensic audit of Corp Sole be ordered and made public.”
And finally, the Presiding Bishop has placed a Partial Restriction on the Ministry of the Bishop stating he “is forbidden from closing on the sale of the St. James property.”
We continue to pray to be returned to our beloved church and want to thank you for your prayers of support.
Yours In Christ,
The congregation of St. James the Great Episcopal Church
Newport Beach, California
info@savesaintjamesthegreat.
http://www.
LATEST NEWS:
June 19, 2017: The Living Church: Panel sanctions Bruno
June 19, 2017: Episcopal News Service: Disciplinary panel sanctions Los Angeles bishop J. Jon Bruno
June 19, 2017: The Christian Post: California Episcopal bishop sanctioned for trying to sell church for $15 million against wishes of congregation
June 20, 2017: Daily Pilot (L.A. Times): Episcopal panel warns bishop not to sell Newport’s St. James church property
June 23, 2017: The Living Church: St. James the Great under contract
June 23, 2017: Anglican Ink: Bruno admits attempting secret sale of St. James Newport Beach
June 23, 2017: The Orange County Register: Episcopal diocese confirms sale of controversial Newport Beach church property
June 23, 2017: Daily Pilot (L.A. Times): Bishop confirms new plan to sell Newport’s St. James church site while he awaits ruling on misconduct allegations
June 27, 2017: Episcopal Café: L.A. Bishop Bruno responds to injunction
June 28, 2017: Anglican Ink: Perjury and fraud allegations raised against Bishop Jon Bruno
June 28, 2017: The Living Church: Dueling motions in Bruno case
June 29, 2017: The Living Church: Gloves come off in Bruno trial
June 29, 2017: Episcopal Café: Church Attorney: +Bruno is a “rogue bishop”
June 29, 2017: Anglican Ink: Church Attorney calls for Bruno to be defrocked
June 29, 2017: Episcopal News Service: Presiding Bishop ‘deeply concerned’ about Bruno’s actions, places ‘partial restriction’ on bishop
June 29, 2017: The Orange County Register: Local bishop ordered to stop sale of Newport Beach church, attorney calls for his defrocking
June 29, 2017: Daily Pilot (L.A. Times): National Episcopal leader bars L.A. bishop from selling Newport church
Documents and Timeline: http://www.
Learn more about our community’s efforts to save the church at:www.savesaintjamesthegreat.org
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