Jane Hyde Rasmussen, Petitioners v. the Superior Court of Orange County, Respondent; Praveen Bunyan…

Summary

The court held that its earlier decision did not finally resolve ownership of the disputed church property or require judgment for the national church. Because the earlier matter involved review of dismissal and demurrer rulings before the parish had answered, further proceedings remained necessary, including consideration of the parish’s reliance on a 1991 letter. The court reversed the Court of Appeal and remanded for proceedings consistent with this opinion. Justice Kennard, dissenting, would have affirmed the Court of Appeal and directed judgment for the national church under the principle-of-government approach.