Crystal Cathedral to be sold to Roman Catholic Church

By Dan Gilgoff, CNN.com Religion Editor

(CNN) - Southern California’s famed but troubled Crystal Cathedral will be sold to the Roman Catholic Church, in a deal a bankruptcy judge approved Thursday.

The Protestant church, which helped spark the megachurch movement in the United States after opening in 1970, declared bankruptcy last year following years of infighting among the family of church founder Rev. Robert H. Schuller and church leaders.

Sheila Schuller Coleman, the founder’s daughter, sought to reassure members and supporters of the iconic house of worship Thursday night, saying “there is still time for God to step in and save Crystal Cathedral Ministries.”

“Lest you think it is too late for a miracle, I want to reassure you that it is not too late for a miracle,” said Schuller Coleman, the church’s director of ministry and mission.

The church board endorsed the deal after a California court ordered it to decide between selling its property to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange and Chapman University.

“This outcome addresses our efforts to have a cathedral large enough to meet our present and anticipated needs,” Tod D. Brown, the bishop of Orange, said in a Thursday statement.

“I was surprised and gratified that so many people told me they were hoping we would be successful; it is clear by all the interest focused on our efforts that many of our laity understand the need for and importance of such a cathedral for Catholics in Orange County."

The high-profile church has been rocked by recent controversy.

Robert Schuller, known for his internationally broadcast “Hour of Power” TV show, was voted out by the Crystal Cathedral’s board this year.

In 2006, he stepped down from the pulpit as senior pastor but continued to preach and to sit on the church board. His son Robert A. Schuller stepped in as senior pastor. Two years later, after a dispute with the board, the younger Schuller was voted out by the board.