BC-US—Crystal Cathedral,3rd Ld-Writethru/532
Eds: Adds details. Will be updated from hearing under way. With AP Photos.
Catholic diocese ups offer for Crystal Cathedral
AMY TAXIN,Associated Press


SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) — A Roman Catholic diocese raised its offer for the financially ailing Crystal Cathedral, home of the long-running televangelist show “Hour of Power,” as a federal bankruptcy court evaluated competing bids for the sprawling grounds Monday.

Diocese of Orange attorney Alan Martin said the new offer was $57.5 million, up from $55.4 million, to address what were described as feasibility concerns stemming from intellectual property and other claims by the family of the Rev. Robert Schuller, the televangelist who founded of the megachurch.

At the hearing, Judge Robert Kwan is examining bids by the diocese and Orange County’s Chapman University, which has offered $51.5 million.

Kwan will evaluate which proposal will enable the church to pay off its hefty debts and also consider the perspectives of church members, some who want the glass-spired church and cemetery to remain in Protestant hands.

The Crystal Cathedral’s board has given its blessing to both bids but prefers the offer from Chapman University, which would enable the church to lease back and eventually repurchase buildings on the Garden Grove campus.

Chapman plans to use the site to expand its health sciences offerings and possibly start a medical school.

The Diocese wants the site for a long-sought countywide cathedral. The Diocese would use the main worship space and the Crystal Cathedral would be able to lease or buy a smaller Catholic church nearby.

Several church members said they want Chapman to buy the property because it will remain a Protestant campus. Some raised concerns about the future of the church’s cemetery if the Diocese assumes control, pointing out that some churchgoers may no longer wish to spend eternity there.

Diocese officials said they would assist any churchgoers who wanted relatives’ remains to be relocated, but said anyone would be welcome to stay.