Bishop’s Libel Suit Over Diocese Funds to Face Anti-SLAPP Motion

A California trial court must reconsider whether a bishop is likely to prevail in his libel suit over an email that allegedly suggested misuse of donor funds by the Roman Catholic Church in the Diocese of Orange.

Suzanne Nunn, the former Orange Catholic Foundation director, engaged in free speech when she sent the email because Most Reverend Kevin William Vann’s alleged attempt to use donor funds in contravention of donor agreements could affect thousands of parishioners and Orange County residents, the California Court of Appeals, Fourth District, ruled Wednesday.

Nunn joined OCF—a nonprofit that manages millions of dollars in charitable ...