Adapted from The Episcopal News Update, a newsletter of the Diocese of Los Angeles:
In the Episcopal Church Title IV case involving Bishop J. Jon Bruno, the Hearing Panel has denied two motions, one from the bishop seeking that it dismiss or stay complaints centered on Corporation Sole’s action to sell real property in Newport Beach, and another through which the complainants sought an interim order to obtain occupancy of the church campus.
The announcement came October 28, two days after the Hearing Panel’s meeting in Chicago, where Bishop Bruno was represented by Canon Richard Zevnik, chancellor of the Diocese of Los Angeles.
In a separate action, the Orange County Superior Court has ruled in favor of the bishop as Corporation Sole, declaring that Save St. James the Great has no standing to challenge the property sale. An appeal hearing, “once briefing is complete, reasonably may be expected in mid-2017,” Zevnik said.
The Title IV case “will now proceed as established by the canons,” including disclosures for discovery, Zevnik said. “The next step will be a scheduling conference with the president of the Hearing Panel, Bishop Herman Hollerith IV of the Diocese of Southern Virginia, and counsel for the Hearing Panel, Mr. Bradfute Davenport. Outcome of the scheduling conference may occasion a change in the dates set for the hearing.”
This is the Hearing Panel’s “Notice on Motions”:
On October 26, 2016, the Hearing Panel met in Chicago to consider motions. Present were the Church Attorney, Respondent’s Counsel and various visitors.
After careful deliberation of the motions, supporting papers and arguments of counsel the Hearing Panel has decided the following:
(1.) Bishop Bruno’s Motion to Dismiss, or in the alternative, to Stay Complainants’ Complaints: Denied
(2.) Church Attorney’s Joinder in and Adoption of Complainants’ Motion for an Interim Order: Denied
Issued by the Hearing Panel this date, October 28, 2016.
The Rt. Rev. Herman Hollerith IV, President of the Hearing Panel
