The concept of whether the Southern Baptist Convention is a unified church that can be held liable for sexual abuse that happens in individual congregations will be put to the test yet again in a new lawsuit filed in U.S….
Boy Scouts closer to settling abuse claims, but challenges remain
A proposed settlement plan for more than 80,000 abuse cases filed against the Boy Scouts of America came one step closer to reality March 28 when a federal judge affirmed a $2.46 billion settlement plan, overriding objections by some insurers…
Seven years later, Will McRaney might get his day in court against NAMB — maybe
Seven years after he was fired as the leader of a Baptist state convention, Will McRaney may finally get his day in court against the Southern Baptist Convention’s North American Mission Board. After years of legal wrangling, a new trial…
As report of SBC Sexual Abuse Task Force nears, Southern Baptists are just beginning to count the cost of this work
What will be the final cost of the Southern Baptist Convention’s investigation into allegations of mishandling sexual abuse claims? There are, of course, costs in terms of reputation and witness, but also financial costs that could take years to fully…
United Methodist leaders urge congregations to reject proposed settlement with Boy Scouts
United Methodist churches across the United States are being instructed to reject the proposed sexual abuse settlement plan that is part of the Boy Scouts of America’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings. In a series of hurried meetings, the governing boards…
As Boys Scouts of America bankruptcy plan proceeds, UMC urges its congregations to consider their legal liability
Should churches that charter Boy Scouts of America packs or troops continue their affiliation with the organization in light of its current bankruptcy proceedings? The answer for United Methodist congregations is “no,” according to an announcement from UMC officials. This…
LA County and state of California pay settlement to pastor and church who denied reality of the pandemic
John MacArthur’s defiance of California’s public health restrictions to slow the spread of COVID-19 has netted the church $800,000 — not because MacArthur told the truth about the pandemic but because the U.S. Supreme Court eventually ruled that California couldn’t…
Pressler accuser still wants day in court
A Texas judge erred by dismissing a sexual abuse lawsuit against former Southern Baptist Convention leader Paul Pressler due to statutes of limitation, the alleged victim’s lawyer says in a new brief filed with the First Texas Court of Appeals.
NAMB lawsuit tests when courts can – and cannot – resolve disputes in religious bodies
A common law doctrine long used to determine when disputes within a religious entity require intervention by civil courts took center stage in oral arguments Feb. 6 in the 5th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals in New Orleans.