Judge Backs Calif. Episcopal Parishes

A judge ruled that two conservative parishes that broke away from the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles to protest the ordination of a gay bishop are the rightful owners of their church buildings and other property.
The diocese had argued that it held the property in trust for All Saints Church in Long Beach and St. David's Church in North Hollywood.

Those parishes, along with St. James Church in Newport Beach, pulled out of the Los Angeles Diocese and the 2.3 million-member national Episcopal Church in August 2004 following the ordination of a gay bishop in New Hampshire. They said they were placing themselves under the jurisdiction of the Anglican Church in Uganda.
Los Angeles Bishop Jon Bruno was among the majority of U.S. Episcopal bishops who voted to endorse the New Hampshire selection.

Los Angeles Diocese officials said Monday they would appeal the ruling by Orange County Superior Court Judge David C. Velasquez , just as they appealed his August ruling in favor of the Newport Beach parish.

AP

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