A formal complaint has been filed with the national Episcopal Church against Los Angeles Bishop Jon Bruno over his abrupt sale of a Newport Beach church and locking out of worshippers there.

The complaint, called a presentment, went to the national church’s Ecclesiastical Court and could result in sanctions and disciplinary action against the bishop as well as actions to relieve the dire situation of the Newport Beach congregants. It was signed by dozens of members of the Los Angeles Diocese, including several priests.

The complaint alleges 147 specific violations of church law by Bishop Bruno. These include instances of reckless or intentional misrepresentation, conduct unbecoming a bishop of the church, possible failure to get required diocesan approval for the sale, and creating or promoting conflict.

The presentment was filed on behalf of the members of St. James the Great Episcopal Church in Newport Beach.

In a separate action, the congregation of St. James the Great has asked the national church to appoint an alternate pastoral bishop to minister to the congregation and represent its interests with the LA Diocese and national officials.

In May, Bishop Bruno announced that he had sold the St. James property to a developer that intends to tear it down and erect luxury condos. He said that he would assist the congregation in finding a new home, and that they could continue to meet at the church until escrow closed at the end of June.

At the time, St. James was a completely faithful Episcopal congregation that was 200 strong and growing, and the church was self-sustaining financially.

Many questioned the sale, and the original donor of the land, the Griffith Co., pointed to a deed restriction that the property remain a church. Bishop Bruno then sued the Griffith Co. for clear title and also for damages for “title slander,” an unprecedented action by a nonprofit against a major donor.

At the end of June, although escrow had not closed because of the clouded title, Bishop Bruno tried to remove the St. James vicar, Rev. Canon Cindy Evans Voorhees, and changed the locks on the church. Staff and volunteers have yet to be allowed back on the property to retrieve all their personal items stored there. The bishop has turned away repeated attempts at communication from the congregation about the use of the building while escrow remains open and during a two-year entitlement process. Rev. Voorhees and the congregation are now conducting their services in a small park across the street from the church.

No assistance in finding a new place of worship has been forthcoming from the bishop.

The Ecclesiastical Court now has 30 days from July 6 to review the presentment and could schedule proceedings that would require the bishop to account for his actions.

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NOTE TO EDITORS: A copy of the presentment and further background information, including prior news coverage, is available at www.savesaintjamesthegreat.org