Church Law & Tax Report
May/June 1988
Articles
Recent Developments
Issues that affect ministers and churches, with Richard R. Hammar
Church Property; Tax Exemption
Court Ruled Church-Operated Nursing Home Was Exempt from Property Taxation 
Church Property; First Amendment
Court Confirmed Civil Courts Are Prohibited from Resolving Church Property Disputes on the Basis of Religious Doctrine 
Confidential and Privileged Communications; Counseling; Ministerial Exception
Court Refused to Extend the Clergy-Penitent Privilege to an Unordained, Self-Proclaimed Minister 
Confidential and Privileged Communications; Counseling
Court Concluded That in Alleging Damage to Marital Relationship Couple Waived the Privilege of Their Communication with Priest 
Freedom of Religion; Schools
Court Concluded District's Civil Rights Act Did Require Equal Access to University Facilities and Services 
University was sued by various homosexual student groups for its refusal to officially recognize them.
Insurance; Personal Injuries on Church Property or During Church Activities; Schools
Court Ruled That a Quadriplegic Student Could Not Sue Church Officials for Failing to Obtain Adequate Insurance 
Personal Injuries on Church Property or During Church Activities; Schools
Court Permitted Student to Sue His Church-Operated High School for Injuries in Football Game 
On Church Property or During Church Activities
Child Abuse; Sexual Misconduct by Clergy, Lay Employees, and Volunteers
Court Ruled Church Was Not Liable for Repeated Acts of Sexual Assault by a Sunday School Teacher 
Church Property; Tax Exemption
Apartment Building Owned by Missions Organization Was Exempt from Property Taxation 
Church Property
Taxation - Church Property
Park Owned by United Church of Christ Qualified for Exemption as Property Used Exclusively for Religious Purposes 
Church Property
Taxation - Church Property
Undeveloped Tract of Church-Owned Property Was Not Exempt from State Property Taxation 
Church Property
Freedom of Religion; Workers Compensation
State's Interests Amounted to a Compelling Interest That Overrode the Church's Religious Beliefs 
Q&A
Q&A: Will Our Tax-Exempt Status Be Jeopardized if We Encourage a Senate Confirmation of a Federal Judge?
The answer revolves around whether your church's actions were substantial in nature and constituted an attempt to influence legislation.