The Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles plans to proceed with the sale of the St. James the Great church property in Newport Beach, citing a legal obligation created by the diocese’s bishop. “The buyer has the legal right to expect the seller to honor the contract,” Taylor wrote. That move was made Aug. 1 in light of a hearing panel’s recent determination that Bruno had engaged in misconduct when he attempted a separate sale of the church site in 2015. Bruno changed the locks two years ago while trying to sell the property to would-be townhouse developer Legacy Partners for $15 million. “They assured us that if St. James the Great wishes to continue as an Episcopal congregation, they will support us — just not in our building,” Stahr told his fellow parishioners in a statement Monday.

Source: Los Angeles Times August 15, 2017 00:22 UTC