Church Law & Tax Report
May/June 1999
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Feature Article
The Religious Liberty and Charitable Donation Protection Act of 1998
A federal law protects the charitable giving of donors who declare bankruptcy
Church Guide to "New Hire" Reporting
Most churches are subject to new federal reporting requirements
Defamation of Pastors
A Louisiana court issues an important decision-Steed v. St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 1999 WL 92626 (La. App. 1999)
Articles
Recent Developments
Issues that affect ministers and churches, with Richard R. Hammar
Recent Developments in Texas Regarding Bankruptcy
A Texas state court ruled that the recently enacted Religious Freedom and Charitable Donation Protection Act of 1998 prevented a creditor from recovering contributions made by a bankrupt debtor to his church.
Recent Developments in Alabama Regarding Church Property
The Alabama Supreme Court ruled that a local church, rather than a parent denomination, owned title to church property following a vote by the church to withdraw from the denomination.
Recent Developments in Mississippi Regarding Church Property
The Mississippi Supreme Court ruled that a local congregation, rather than a parent denomination, was the legal owner of church property.
Recent Developments in Indiana Regarding Church Reportig Obligations
A federal court in Indiana ruled that an independent church was not exempt from paying more than $5 million in unpaid payroll taxes.
Recent Developments in Ohio Regarding Clergy Removal
An Ohio court ruled that it was barred by the first amendment from resolving an internal church dispute regarding the tenure of the pastor.
Recent Developments by a Federal Appeals Court Regarding Confidential and Privileged Communications
A federal appeals court ruled that a prosecutor violated the legal rights of a priest by secretly tape recording a penitential conversation between the priest and an inmate at a county jail.
Recent Development in Indiana Regarding Employment Practices
A federal court in Indiana rejected the claims of a 61-year-old employee of a church-operated hospital that she had been a victim of age discrimination.
Recent Developments in Louisiana Regarding Sexual Misconduct by Clergy and Church Workers
A Louisiana court ruled that a community college was legally responsible for a professor's rape of a student, because it failed to conduct a background check before hiring him.
Recent Developments by a Federal Appeals Court Regarding Employment Practices
A federal appeals court ruled that a church-affiliated university did not commit unlawful discrimination when it dismissed a professor in its divinity school.
Recent Developments by a Federal Appeals Court Regarding Insurance
A federal appeals court ruled that a church insurance policy provided coverage for alleged acts of child molestation.
Recent Developments by a Federal Appeals Court Regarding Insurance for Termination-Related Lawsuits
A federal appeals court ruled that a church's insurance policy did not cover lawsuits arising from the employment relationship.
