Grotnik
Guardian Angel Polish National Catholic Church of Los Angeles, Inc. v. Grotnik
Opinion
Opinion
Spencer, J.
INTRODUCTION
Defendants Casimir Grotnik and Polish National Catholic Church appeal from a judgment entered in favor of plaintiff Guardian Angel Polish National Catholic Church of Los Angeles, Inc. (Guardian Angel parish) after the trial court found that real property consisting of a church and hall and all personal property located therein belong to Guardian Angel parish, and denying relief on defendants’ cross-complaint.
BACKGROUND
The Polish National Catholic Church is and always has been a hierarchical church. The laws of the Polish National Catholic Church are drafted and passed at General Synods, after which they are binding on all parishes within the church.
On January 20, 1960, four Polish-American individuals incorporated Guardian Angel parish in Los Angeles. According to the Polish National Catholic Church Constitution in effect at the time, a parish “is a collective legal unit within the realm of the Polish National Catholic Church possessing a charter or recognition of the Bishop Ordinary of the diocese in whose territory the parish is located, confirmed by the Prime Bishop and organized according to the Constitution, principles, laws and rules of the…