CHANCELLOR'S UPDATE

Today the decision from the Fifth District Court of Appeal upholding the judgment issued by the Fresno Superior Court in the Schofield Case directing that approximately twenty-eight properties and various Diocesan funds shall be returned to the Diocese of San Joaquin becomes final.   Yesterday, the Court of Appeal denied the Defendants' request for a rehearing and the Court modified the decision with helpful clarifications. The properties that subject in this case are parish properties, the Diocesan camp and conference center in Oakhurst, and the Cathedral in Fresno. 

The defendants have stated that they intend to seek review of the Court of Appeal's decision by the California Supreme Court. In order to obtain review by the Supreme Court the defendants must first petition the Supreme Court, which then will decide whether or not their review of this case is warranted. The process for the Supreme Court to decide whether to review the case will conclude some time between mid-July to mid-August. In the event that the Supreme Court decides to review the case, there will be additional briefing and oral argument which will take several months to complete.

In the meantime, the three remaining parish cases, St. John's, Porterville, St. Paul's, Visalia, and St. Columba, Fresno, will remain stayed and on hold until the Schofield Case is resolved.

Finally, I report that this last weekend I attended the joint meeting of the Standing Committee and Diocesan Council with the Bishop and the Diocesan Treasurer, which focused on updating and revising their plans, budgets, and contingencies in anticipation of the resolution of the Schofield Case. There was lots of energy, insights, ideas, and good work happening at the meeting.

As always, please feel free to email me with any questions or concerns that you may have at mglass@rflawllp.com or mglass@diosanjoaquin.org.

Chancellor Michael O. Glass, Esq.