CHANCELLOR'S UPDATE
As previously reported, the the Fifth District Court of Appeal upheld the judgment issued by the Fresno Superior Court in the Schofield Case directing that approximately twenty-eight properties, including ECCO and the Cathedral, and various Diocesan funds shall be returned to the Diocese of San Joaquin.
However, on May 16th the defendants filed a petition to seek review of the Court of Appeal's decision by the California Supreme Court. Review by the Supreme Court is not automatic and the defendants' petition must show that that review is necessary to resolve novel legal issues or to insure uniformity of law. The Diocese has filed an answer explaining that the Diocese believes that the Supreme Court's Review is not necessary at this time. The briefing is now complete.
As I reported previously, 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.
Chancellor Michael O. Glass, Esq.
