Church Was Shielded From Liability For Statements Made To Congregation About Pastor's Termination
Gunn v. Mariners Church, Inc., 167 Cal. App. 4th 206 (2008)
Robert Gunn sued the church for defamation, invasion of privacy and intentional infliction of emotional distress after the senior pastor announced to the congregation that the church had terminated Gunn from his pastoral position because he had admitted to (homosexual) acts, which the church considered to be a sin. The trial court granted the church’s motion for summary judgment on the ground that the church’s acts were in furtherance of established church policy regarding termination of employment of a leader within the church, and the Court of Appeal affirmed.
