Click here for an article that appeared recently in the Orange County Register on the unfolding events with St. Michael’s in San Clemente or read below.
St. Michael’s trying to stop foreclosure
The Rev. Bob Kennedy said today that the loan principal, interest and associated foreclosure fees will be paid in full this Friday. He said the final amount will be $72,486.37.
Michael Browne filed the notice of foreclosure Dec. 12 after the church did not pay back two personal loans in the amounts of $100,000 and $30,000. The notice gave the church three months to pay or the property would go to a foreclosure sale.
Browne said that in 2007 he gave the church an extension of one year to pay the sum instead of suing the church. After the extension expired in November 2008, Browne received a “good-faith payment” of $60,000 from the archbishop of Charismatic Episcopal Church, St. Michael’s parent church. After a dispute over the payment’s origin, Browne began foreclosure proceedings.
Browne was once a member of the church’s leadership council and is a former student at St. Michael’s Seminary. His children attended St. Michael’s Academy and his wife worked at the school. He said he left the church for various reasons.
“Michael Browne is saying a lot of things,” Kennedy said. “He’s a very disgruntled ex-parishioner.”
Browne said the church gave him notice a few weeks ago that a final payoff amount would be discussed.
“I know they’re trying to take care of this, but they’re really trying to keep a tight lid on everything,” Browne said.
Kennedy said St. Michael’s Bishop Douglas Kessler was out of town today. Kessler did not respond immediately to an e-mail seeking comment.
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