The lawsuit alleged that the Diocese of Los Angeles breached a written promise made in 1991 that it would not attempt to claim St. James property. The lawsuit alleged that by initiating the lawsuit against St. James Church and its volunteer vestry members in September 2004, the Diocese and Bishop J. Jon Bruno breached that promise to the severe detriment of St. James.

"We have been vindicated in our fight to preserve the property St. James members have sacrificially contributed to build and maintain," said Father Praveen Bunyan, Rector of St. James Church. "As a growing, vibrant church, we want to stay focused and use our resources on our core ministries instead of being distracted with continuing a lawsuit where we already have the victory. We call upon the Diocese of Los Angeles and the Episcopal Church to do the same, and not drag their church through endless appeals that will bear no fruit for them or God's Kingdom."

"While St. James is certain that the Diocese of Los Angeles failed to honor the written promise made in 1991 that they would not seek to impose a trust over St. James property, the Orange County Superior Court has repeatedly ruled that the Diocese cannot do so as a matter of California law. Hopefully, it will not become necessary to refile the lawsuit at a later date," said Eric C. Sohlgren of Payne & Fears LLP, Irvine, the lead attorney for St. James Church.

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Contact: Karen Bro
St. James Church
949-675-0210

Eric C. Sohlgren
Payne & Fears LLP
949-797-1252
949-439-6149