1The proper name for this appellee is the Protestant Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Mississippi.

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF MISSISSIPPI

NO. 2003-CA-00123-SCT

JULIE MABUS

v.

ST. JAMES EPISCOPAL CHURCH, EPISCOPAL

DIOCESE OF MISSISSIPPI, INC.,1 AND JERRY

McBRIDE

DATE OF JUDGMENT: 12/18/2002

TRIAL JUDGE: HON. BOBBY BURT DeLAUGHTER

COURT FROM WHICH APPEALED: HINDS COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT

ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLANT: KATHRYN N. NESTER

SHAWNA A. MURRELL

ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEES: CHARLES EDWIN ROSS

BRENDA CURRIE JONES

DORRANCE AULTMAN

CHRISTOPHER OWEN MASSENBURG

NATURE OF THE CASE: CIVIL - TORTS-OTHER THAN PERSONAL

INJURY & PROPERTY DAMAGE

DISPOSITION: AFFIRMED - 10/07/2004

MOTION FOR REHEARING FILED:

MANDATE ISSUED:

CONSOLIDATED WITH

NO. 2003-IA-00439-SCT

JERRY McBRIDE

v.

JULIE MABUS
2

DATE OF JUDGMENT: 01/06/2003

TRIAL JUDGE: HON. BOBBY BURT DeLAUGHTER

COURT FROM WHICH APPEALED: HINDS COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT

ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT: ROBERT A. MALOUF

ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE: KATHRYN N. NESTER

SHAWNA A. MURRELL

NATURE OF THE CASE: CIVIL - TORTS-OTHER THAN PERSONAL

INJURY & PROPERTY DAMAGE

DISPOSITION: AFFIRMED AND REMANDED - 10/07/2004

MOTION FOR REHEARING FILED:

MANDATE ISSUED:

EN BANC.

CARLSON, JUSTICE, FOR THE COURT:

¶1. Julie Mabus filed suit in the First Judicial District of Hinds County Circuit Court against St. James

Episcopal Church, Protestant Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Mississippi, and Jerry McBride (a former

priest at St. James). Julie asserted seven separate causes of action against the defendants: breach of

fiduciary duty, fraudulent concealment, negligent misrepresentation, invasion of privacy, negligent infliction

of emotional distress, negligent retention/supervision, and clergy malpractice. This lawsuit is based upon

McBride’s participation in the surreptitious tape recording of a conversation between Julie, McBride, and

Julie’s then-husband, Ray Mabus. All defendants filed a motion to dismiss all claims, which was denied by

the trial court, the Honorable L. Breland Hilburn, presiding. In a 4-4-1 decision, this Court denied

Defendants’ Petition For Interlocutory Appeal. Mabus v. St. James Episcopal Church, No. 2001-

M-01558 (Miss. Nov. 29, 2001). Defendants’ petition for certiorari to the United States Supreme Court

was denied. Protestant Episcopal Church v. Mabus, 535 U.S. 1054, 122 S. Ct. 1910, 152 L. Ed.

2d 821 (2002).
3

¶2. Defendants then filed a motion for partial summary judgment based upon the breach of fiduciary

duty claims. Although Julie did respond, she did not file any opposing affidavits. Upon Judge Hilburn’s

leaving the bench, the case was reassigned to the Honorable Bobby B. DeLaughter. On August 21, 2002,

Judge Delaughter issued a sixteen-page Memorandum Opinion Regarding Defendants’ Motion for Partial

Summary Judgment on Plaintiff’s Breach of Fiduciary Duty Claims. In doing so, the trial court found that

“[t]he general priest-parishioner relationship is not enough to establish a fiduciary duty under Mississippi

law.” The trial court noted that “whether a fiduciary relationship exists, depends upon factual

circumstances, not upon professional standards of conduct for the average reasonable member of the

clergy.” Julie Mabus v. St. James Episcopal Church, Civ. Action No. 01-23 (Hinds Cty. Cir. Ct.

Aug. 21, 2002)(citing Doe v. Evans, 718 So.2d 286, 291 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 1998)(opinion quashed

inDoe v. Evans, 814 So.2d 370, 377 (Fla. 2002); F.G. v. MacDonell, 150 N.J. 550, 696 A.2d 697

(1997); Moses v. Diocese of Colorado, 863 P.2d 310 (Colo. 1993); Doe v. Hartz, 52 F. Supp. 2d

1027, 1065 (N.D. Iowa 1999); Langford v. Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn, 271 A.D.2d

494, 705 N.Y.S.2d 661 (2000)). However, in this case, the trial court ruled Julie had failed to prove “that

she was a dependent person or reposed any trust or confidence in defendant McBride” and that therefore

summary judgment was appropriate. 

¶3. Defendants then filed a second motion for summary judgment as to the remaining claims. Julie filed

a motion requesting that Judge Delaughter recuse himself based upon the second-to-last paragraph of the

court’s order, which stated: “[t]he Mabus children, two young girls, twelve and ten years of age, deserve

some measure of privacy and this Court is not willing to even incidentally sacrifice that peace of mind upon

the altar of their mother’s vain pursuit of lucre.” The motion to recuse was denied. At the hearing, the trial

court invited both parties to provide additional information. Julie filed an affidavit in opposition to the
4

Defendants’ claims. The motion for summary judgment was granted on all counts as to all defendants with

the exception of the fraudulent concealment claim against McBride, individually. Julie has appealed the trial

court’s grant of summary judgment and the denial of the motion to recuse; with our permission McBride

has appealed the denial of summary judgment as to the fraudulent concealment claim against him.

FACTS

¶4. Most of the facts in this case are undisputed. The cause of action arises from McBride’s

participation in the tape recording of his meeting with Ray and Julie on January 7, 1998. At the time of the

meeting, Ray and Julie were married, and McBride was the pastor at St. James Episcopal Church in

Jackson, Mississippi where the Mabuses attended. Julie was an active, lifelong member of St. James.

McBride officiated at the Mabuses’ wedding and baptized both of their children. In addition to serving as

their pastor, McBride was a close personal friend of both Ray and Julie. Ray invited McBride to be

present when he confronted Julie with his knowledge of her purported infidelity several days prior to the

meeting, and Ray told McBride that he intended to record the conversation on the advice of his divorce

attorney. Julie’s sister was also invited to attend the meeting, but she did not attend because her airline

flight into Jackson was canceled due to inclement weather.

¶5. The meeting took place in the Mabuses' home. The trial court found that “the purpose of the

confrontation and surreptitious recording was to obtain evidence for Ray Mabus to use as leverage in

attempting to get Julie to agree to a no-fault divorce.” Julie did not know that Ray was recording the

meeting nor was she aware that the purpose of the meeting was to confront her with her purported infidelity.

Ray later testified in a deposition that he told Julie that he “wanted to talk to her about something important

with McBride present.” Ray also testified that he believed McBride’s “participation could possibly help
2This resulted in protracted litigation and considerable involvement by this Court. See Mabus v.

Mabus, 847 So.2d 815 (Miss. 2003); Mabus v. Mabus, 2003 WL 327669 (Miss. 2003).

5

save the marriage.” However, by way of affidavit, Ray stated that “this meeting was not in any way a

‘counseling session.’”

¶6. What is clear from the transcript of the meeting is the fact that Ray presented his wife with three

options: save the marriage, no-fault divorce, or “we go to war” which would include an alienation of

affection suit against her alleged paramour. The first option was instantly dismissed by Julie, and it was

readily discernible that custody of the children would be a major point of disagreement. Julie expressed

confusion as to why McBride was present. McBride responded at times that he was there for Ray and at

other times for both of them. Julie was combative and used profanity during the course of this confrontation

and likewise begged and pleaded for custody of her children. At one point, McBride sent Ray out of the

room. With Julie still upset, McBride assured Julie that he was not there to ambush her, that he was there

by her side, and that she was not alone. Soon afterwards, McBride left the home. Julie asserts that, after

leaving the Mabus household, McBride told several other people of the conversation regarding Julie’s

alleged infidelity. 

¶7. Divorce proceedings ensued between the Mabuses.2 Although the transcript was not introduced

as evidence, Ray’s expert witness used the transcript in reaching his determination that Ray was the more

stable parent and should have custody of the children. Ray was awarded legal custody of the children, with

both parties gaining joint physical custody. During the divorce proceedings, Julie learned that the January

7 meeting was taped. She subsequently filed suit against McBride, the church, and the diocese.

¶8. Both Julie and McBride have filed appeals. Julie is appealing the order granting summary judgment

in favor of all defendants on all counts, except fraudulent concealment against McBride individually.
6

Because the trial court certified that order as final under M.R.C.P. 54(b), Julie seeks reversal. Since the

trial court denied summary judgment to McBride only on the fraudulent concealment count, McBride

petitioned this Court for an interlocutory appeal, asking this Court to reverse the trial court’s denial of

summary judgment as to him, individually, on the fraudulent concealment count. We granted McBride's

petition. See M.R.A.P. 5. Both appeals have been consolidated and will be discussed simultaneously. 

¶9. Julie has raised the following issues on appeal:

I. Whether the trial court erred in dismissing her claim of breach of fiduciary duty

against the priest and/or the church.

II. Whether the trial court erred in dismissing her negligence claims, including negligent

misrepresentation, negligent infliction of emotional distress, clergy malpractice, and

negligent supervision and retention, against the priest, church, and/or diocese.

III. Whether the trial court erred in dismissing her fraudulent concealment claim against

the church and diocese.

IV. Whether the trial judge erred in failing to recuse himself from consideration in this

case.

The church and diocese disagree and restate the issues in the form of sixteen questions. Julie argues that

a number of the issues while the church and diocese attempt to raise are not properly before this Court.

¶10. In his appeal, McBride has raised the following issues:

I. Whether the trial court should have abstained from the acceptance of jurisdiction

in this ecclesiastical matter.

II. Whether the trial court erred in denying McBride’s motion for summary judgment

regarding fraudulent concealment because McBride did not owe a duty to Julie to

inform her that her husband was taping the conversation.

A. That McBride’s ecclesiastical duties as a priest may not form the basis of

a fiduciary duty consistent with the First Amendment to the United States

Constitution.
7

B. That the trial court determined from the evidence that neither a confidential

relationship nor a fiduciary relationship existed between McBride and

Julie.

III. Denial, Concession, and Estoppel.

IV. The trial court committed several reversible errors in denying McBride’s motion

for summary judgment on the fraudulent concealment claim.

A. The trial court’s interpretation of L.S. and Attorney M.

B. The trial court failed to follow Miss.R.Civ.P. 56.

C. The trial judge denied McBride’s motion for summary judgment on the

basis of “fraud”, a cause of action which has not been raised.

C.[sic] The trial court erred by making unsupported factual and legal inferences

concerning the outcome of the Mabus divorce matter, and the trial court’s

opinion impeaches the judgment of the Chancellor who decided the

Mabus divorce.

D. The transcript of the taped conversation reveals that there is no causal

relationship between McBride’s “wheedling” and “cajoling” and Julie’s

alleged admission of an extramarital affair, further the transcript reveals

that Julie was not “justifiably relying” on McBride.

Julie asserts that McBride’s brief raises a number of issues outside the order permitting this interlocutory

appeal. 

ANALYSIS

I. Jurisdiction 

¶11. The first question we must address is whether this case presents an ecclesiastical matter which is

barred from our consideration by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. With its simplistic

wording belying its magnitude, the First Amendment states: “Congress shall make no law respecting an

establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof. . .” U.S. Const. amend. I. In applying

the First Amendment, this Court has held this statement sacred.
8

As a civil court, we, of course, could not and do not consider or decide any question of

ecclesiastical law or church doctrine; therefore, our decision is in accord with Maryland

and Virginia Eldership of Churches of God v. Church of God at Sharpsburg,

Inc., 396 U.S. 367, 90 S.Ct. 499, 24 L.Ed.2d 582 (1970).

Stegall v. Newsom, 326 So.2d 803, 807 (Miss. 1976). “If nowhere else, in the relation between Church

and State, good fences make good neighbors.” Ill. ex rel. McCollum v. Bd. of Educ., 333 U.S. 203,

232, 68 S.Ct. 461, 475, 92 L.Ed. 649, ___ (1948) (Frankfurter, J., concurring).

¶12. Courts have recognized two theories under the First Amendment that would prohibit courts from

examining ecclesiastical matters: the Establishment Clause and the Free Exercise Clause. The First

Amendment prohibits civil courts from resolving the interpretation of religious doctrine. See Jones v.

Wolf, 443 U.S. 595, 602, 99 S.Ct. 3020, 3025, 61 L.Ed.2d 775, ___ (1979) (applying neutral-principles

approach to property dispute); see also Serbian Eastern Orthodox Diocese v. Milivojevich, 426

U.S. 696, 710, 96 S.Ct. 2372, 2381, 49 L.Ed.2d 151, ___ (1976); Maryland & Va. Eldership of

Churches v. Church of God at Sharpsburg, Inc., 396 U.S. 367, 368, 90 S.Ct. 499, 500, 24

L.Ed.2d 582, ___ (1970); Presbyterian Church v. Mary Elizabeth Blue Hull Mem'l Church,

393 U.S. 440, 449, 89 S.Ct. 601, 606, 21 L.Ed.2d 658, ___ (1969); Mallette v. Church of God

Int’l, 789 So.2d 120 (Miss. Ct. App. 2001). Nor may the government hold religious groups to a higher

standard or impose special duties or burdens on the basis of a religious status. Church of the Lukumi

Babalu Aye, Inc. v. City of Hialeah, 508 U.S. 520, 113 S.Ct. 2217, 124 L.Ed.2d 472 (1993); Bd.

of Educ. of Kiryas Joel Village Sch. Dist. v. Grumet, 512 U.S. 687, 114 S.Ct. 2481, 129 L.Ed.2d

546 (1984); McDaniel v. Paty, 435 U.S. 618, 98 S.Ct. 1322, 55 L.Ed.2d 593 (1978) (plurality

opinion) (striking down law prohibiting cleric from holding elected office). 
3Art. 3, Section 18, states: “No religious test as a qualification for office shall be required; and no

preference shall be given by law to any religious sect or mode of worship; but the free enjoyment of all

religious sentiments and the different modes of worship shall be held sacred. The rights hereby secured shall

not be construed to justify acts of licentiousness injurious to morals or dangerous to the peace and safety

of the state, or to exclude the Holy Bible from use in any public school of this state.”

4Art. 3, Section 24 states: “All courts shall be open; and every person for an injury done him in his

lands, goods, person or reputation shall have remedy by due course of law, and right and justice shall be

administered without sale, denial, or delay.”

9

¶13. Mississippi’s Constitution has a counterpart to the First Amendment. Miss. Const. art. 3, § 18

(1890).3 Mississippi also has another constitutional guaranty to every Mississippian arising from the

Adequate Remedy Clause.4 Id. art. 3, § 24. Both clauses are recognized by this Court and will be

enforced, at least to the extent that the Adequate Remedy Clause does not clash with the First Amendment.

The Fifth Circuit has held: “[t]hat the First Amendment does not categorically insulate religious relationships

from judicial scrutiny, for to do so would necessarily extend constitutional protection to the secular

components of these relationships.” Sanders v. Casa View Baptist Church, 134 F.3d 331, 335-36

(5th Cir. 1998). 

¶14. Thus, to the extent that this case can be considered without pressing into ecclesiastical matters,

jurisdiction over the subject matter of this case is not barred by the First Amendment. However,

throughout the Amended Complaint, Julie asserts that “at all times,” McBride “was acting as the spiritual

leader” of the Church and Diocese and in furtherance of their “goals and interests.” Each defendant

vigorously argues that this is an ecclesiastical matter and that the Court should abstain from jurisdiction over

this matter. Julie argues that McBride’s actions have no ecclesiastical justification. “Consequently, to

invoke the protection of the First Amendment for conduct taking place within his counseling relationships

with the plaintiffs, [the pastor] must assert that the specific conduct allegedly constituting a breach of his

professional and fiduciary duties was rooted in religious belief.” Sanders, 134 F.3d at 337-38 (citing
5When McBride and Julie were alone, McBride stated: “So what is that you and Ray are gonna

have to work it out. Let me tell you the truth here, let me tell you the real God’s honest truth.” 

10

Employment Div. v. Smith, 494 U.S. 872, 881, 110 S.Ct. 1425, 1601, 67 L.Ed.2d 624 (1981);

Wisconsin v. Yoder, 406 U.S. 205, 215, 92 S.Ct. 1526, 1533, 32 L.Ed.2d 15 (1972); see also

Destefano v. Grabrian, 763 P.2d 275, 283-84 (Colo. 1988) (“In the spiritual counseling context, the

free exercise clause is relevant only if the defendant can show that the conduct that allegedly caused

plaintiff’s distress was in fact part of the belief and practices of the religious group.”); F.G. v. MacDonell,

150 N.J. 550, 696 A.2d 697, 702 (1997) (holding that in order to be protected, the “conduct at issue must

have been part of the beliefs and practices of the defendant’s religion”)).

¶15. A review of the transcript reveals no discussion of the Scriptures or religion and only one mention

of God.5 Rather, the conversation was explosive in that it was one man confronting his wife with

knowledge of her purported infidelity without any notice to her as to what the arranged meeting was about,

and this conversation took place in the presence of another man, who apparently had been through some

sort of similar experience. The transcript does not reveal marital counseling by McBride, but rather a

confrontation initiated by Ray in an effort to get his wife to admit to an adulterous affair. The wife, reacting

to being “backed into a corner,” lashed out at times and at other times pleaded that her husband not take

the children away from her. Other than the fact that the third person present was a priest, there is no

indication of any spiritual or other counseling occurring.

II. Summary Judgment.

¶16. The trial court granted summary judgment in favor of the defendants as to all counts, with the

exception of the count of fraudulent concealment against McBride, individually. The only count uncontested
11

by either party is the dismissal of the invasion of privacy, which Julie’s counsel conceded was barred by

the statute of limitations.

¶17. Our appellate review of the grant or denial of summary judgment is well settled:

For a summary judgment motion to be granted, there must exist no genuine issue of

material fact, and the moving party must be entitled to judgment as a matter of law. Miss.

R. Civ. P. 56(c). The standard of review of a trial court's grant of a motion for summary

judgment is de novo. Short v. Columbus Rubber & Gasket Co., 535 So.2d 61, 63

(Miss.1988). The burden of demonstrating that there is no genuine issue of material fact

falls upon the party requesting the summary judgment. Id. at 63-64. The court must

carefully review all evidentiary matters before it; admissions in pleadings, answers to

interrogatories, depositions, affidavits, etc., in the light most favorable to the party against

whom the motion for summary judgment is made. McFadden v. State, 542 So.2d 871,

874 (Miss.1989). 

When a motion for summary judgment is made and supported as provided in Rule 56, an

adverse party may not rest upon the mere allegations or denials of his pleadings, his

response must set forth specific facts showing that there is a genuine issue for trial. If he

does not so respond, summary judgment, if appropriate, shall be entered against him. If

any triable issues of fact exist, the lower court's decision to grant summary judgment will

be reversed. Otherwise, the decision is affirmed. 

Corey v. Skelton, 834 So.2d 681, 684 ¶7 (Miss. 2003) (citingMiller v. Meeks, 762 So.2d 302, 304

(Miss. 2000) (citing Brown v. Credit Ctr., Inc., 444 So.2d 358, 362 (Miss.1983))). 

¶18. With the exception of the claim for negligent supervision and retention, Julie seeks to impose

vicarious liability on the Church and Diocese for the actions of McBride. We have stated:

An employer is liable for the torts of his employee only when they are committed within the

scope of employment. Odier v. Sumrall, 353 So.2d 1370, 1372 (Miss. 1978). To be

"within the scope of employment," the act must have been committed in the course of and

as a means to accomplishing the purposes of the employment and therefore in furtherance

of the master's business. Sears, Roebuck & Co. v. Creekmore, 199 Miss. 48, 23

So.2d 250, 252 (1945); Alden Mills v. Pendergraft, 149 Miss. 595, 115 So. 713,

714 (1928). Also included in the definition of "course and scope of employment" are

tortious acts incidental to the authorized conduct. Creekmore, 23 So.2d at 252. Stated

another way, a master will not be held liable if the employee "had abandoned his

employment and was about some purpose of his own not incidental to the employment."

Odier, 353 So.2d at 1372 (citing Loper v. Yazoo & M.V.R. Co., 166 Miss. 79, 145
12

So. 743 (1933); Canton Cotton Warehouse Co. v. Pool, 78 Miss. 147, 28 So. 823

(1900)). That an employee's acts are unauthorized does not necessarily place them outside

the scope of employment if they are of the same general nature as the conduct authorized

or incidental to that conduct. Southern Bell Tel. & Tel. Co. v. Quick, 167 Miss. 438,

149 So. 107, 109 (1933).

Adams v. Cinemark USA, Inc., 831 So.2d 1156, 1159 ¶ 9 (Miss. 2002). “[W]here an agent commits

a malicious act based on the agent's own personal motive and where the principal does not authorize or

ratify the act, the principal is not vicariously liable.” McClinton v. Delta Pride Catfish, Inc., 792

So.2d 968, 976 ¶ 24 (Miss. 2001) (citing Forrest County Cooperative Ass'n v. McCaffrey, 253

Miss. 486, 176 So.2d 287, 290 (1965)). Thus, we apply this standard in analyzing whether the Church

and Diocese should be held liable in the case sub judice. 

A. Breach of Fiduciary Duty.

¶19. In a matter of first impression within this state, the issue is whether a parishioner may maintain a

cause of action against her priest and/or Church and/or Diocese for breach of fiduciary duty. The trial

court found that “[t]he general priest-parishioner relationship is not enough to establish a fiduciary duty

under Mississippi law.” The trial court further found: 

[T]hat a priest, in the State of Mississippi, is to be treated as anyone else by the courts and

his frock should not shield him from liability for conduct not tolerated from any other

member of society. Conversely, however, the law may not impose any higher legal duty

upon a priest than it would on any other person because doing so would erode the wall of

separation between religion and government erected by the Founding Fathers in the First

Amendment.

The trial court noted that “whether a fiduciary relationship exists, depends upon factual circumstances, not

upon professional standards of conduct for the average reasonable member of the clergy.” However, in

this case, the trial court ruled that summary judgment was appropriate because Julie had failed to prove

“that she was a dependent person or reposed any trust or confidence in defendant McBride.” 
13

¶20. We agree with the trial judge that a priest’s position alone is insufficient to establish a fiduciary

relationship. If this Court were to recognize such a duty on the basis of a position held within the church,

we would necessarily be required to define a reasonable duty standard and to evaluate McBride’s conduct

compared to that standard. To do so would violate the First Amendment.

¶21. But, this does not end the inquiry. The next question is whether under these facts, a person who

happens to be a priest, can be in a fiduciary relationship with someone who happens to be one of his

parishioners. Although the Mississippi appellate courts have never specifically addressed whether a

fiduciary or confidential relationship can exist between a member of the clergy, a diocese, or church and

an individual parishioner, the trial court found that “Mississippi doctrine appears to leave the door open for

recognition of such a relationship in appropriate circumstances.” 

¶22. The Church responds that each of Julie’s claims are nothing more than a claim for clergy

malpractice. Other courts have distinguished actions for clergy malpractice from breach of fiduciary duty.

Destefano v. Grabrian, 763 P.2d 275 (Colo. 1988) (the fundamental difference between breach of

fiduciary duty and clergy malpractice “is the former is a breach of trust and does not require a professional

relationship or a professional standard of care, while the latter is an action for negligence based upon a

professional relationship and a professional standard of care.”). Whether a fiduciary relationship exists

depends upon factual circumstances, not upon professional standards of conduct for a reasonable member

of the clergy. Doe v. Hartz, 52 F. Supp. 2d 1027, 1062 (N.D. Iowa 1999) (finding that

breach-of-fiduciary-duty claims against members of the clergy are not barredab initio, but that the question

under Iowa law is whether facts giving rise to a fiduciary relationship and consequent duties have been

alleged); Moses v. Diocese of Colorado 863 P.2d 310 (Colo. 1993) (using neutral principles of law

to uphold findings of liability against diocese and bishop for breach of fiduciary duty based on sexual
14

relationship between assistant priest and parishioner in counseling session); Destefano v. Grabrian, 763

P.2d at 284-86; Doe v. Evans, 814 So.2d 370 (Fla. 2002) (a breach of fiduciary duty claim is not

tantamount to a clergy malpractice claim); F.G. v. MacDonell, 150 N.J. 550, 696 A.2d 697 (1997)

(enabling parishioner to maintain a cause of action for breach of fiduciary duty against rector for initiating

and sustaining sexual relationship in context of pastoral counseling relationship).

¶23. Mississippi law is well-settled in that in order to establish a claim for breach of fiduciary duty, Julie

must first establish a duty. A fiduciary duty is established:

Whenever there is a relation between two people in which one person is in a position to

exercise a dominant influence upon the former, arising either from weakness of mind or

body, or through trust, the law does not hesitate to characterize such a relationship as

fiduciary in character.

Mullins v. Ratcliff 515 So.2d 1183, 1191 (Miss. 1987) (citing Hendricks v. James, 421 So.2d

1031, 1041 (Miss. 1982)). “The relationship arises when a dominant, overmastering influence controls

over a dependent person or trust justifiably reposed.” Id. (citing Hendricks, 421 So.2d at 1041;

McDowell v. Pennington, 394 So.2d 323 (Miss. 1981); Croft v. Alder, 237 Miss. 713, 115 So.2d

683 (1959)). Julie asserts that McBride was present as a marital counselor and that a fiduciary relationship

is created under a counselor-counselee relationship, citing Doe v. Evans, 814 So.2d 370, 374 (Fla.

2002);Eckhardt v. Charter Hosp. of Albuquerque, Inc., 124 N.M. 549, 953 P.2d 722, 727 (N.M.

Ct. App. 1997); MacDonald v. Clinger, 84 A.D.2d 428, 446 N.Y.S.2d 801, 805 (1982).

¶24. Here, the trial court found that summary judgment was appropriate inasmuch as Julie had failed

to submit any evidence that she reposed any trust or confidence in McBride or that she was a dependent

person. Ray testified that he sought the assistance of McBride because he “believed that his participation

could possibly help save the marriage.” However, by affidavit, Ray testified that “this meeting was not in
6Amended Complaint ¶ 7.

7The transcript reflects the following dialog:

McBride: Let me tell you why I’m here.

Julie: Okay.

McBride: I’m here because I love you and I love Ray.

Julie: Uhm-hmn

McBride: And you know that.

Julie: Uhm-hmn

McBride: Okay. That [sic] why I’m here, that’s it.

Julie: Okay.

McBride: I’m gonna be here for the both of you.

Julie: Okay.

McBride: Regardless. None of this is fun.

Julie: Okay.

McBride: I just want you to know that and that, that’s, that’s why I’m here.

Julie: Okay.

Ray: I’d rather do anything than this. The only thing that I ask is to listen to the whole

thing.

Julie: Okay.

15

any way a ‘counseling session’.” Although Julie asserts in her complaint that the meeting was a marital

counseling session with her priest,6 her words at the beginning of the conversation indicate that she did not

know the purpose of the meeting. Julie asked Ray prior to McBride’s arrival: “Is it about me?” and “What

triggered your return?” Then, upon McBride’s arrival and after presenting the Mabuses with a Christmas

gift, McBride said: “Let me tell you why I’m here. . . . I’m here because I love you and I love Ray.”7

Shortly thereafter, Ray confronted Julie with his knowledge of her extra-marital affair. While Mississippi

law does not require any “magic words,” there must be evidence that both parties understood that a special

trust and confidence was being reposed. Lowery v. Guar. Bank & Trust Co., 592 So.2d 79, 84

(Miss. 1991) (citing Stone v. Davis, 66 Ohio St. 2d 74, 419 N.E.2d 1094 (1981)). See also Dunn

v. Dunn, 786 So.2d 1045, 1052 (Miss. 2001) (“In determining whether a fiduciary relationship exists, we

have to look to see if one person depends upon another.”). 
16

¶25. The evidence presented reveals that Julie was not dependent upon McBride, nor that she reposed

any trust or confidence in him. Julie told McBride: “I don’t understand why you’re here.” Julie indicated

that she was “in a corner” and had been “castrated.” Julie then asked Ray: “Why didn’t you let me have

somebody here like Jerry?” Julie later told McBride: “You didn’t even let me have somebody here. . . Oh,

I told Ray that you sabotaged me, you ------ and I’m gonna come after you, and I am. I am furious.” After

reviewing the transcript and listening to Julie’s argument that a jury should be allowed to interpret the

conversation, the trial court found that Julie’s words “leave nothing at all to interpretation or imagination.”

¶26. On the other hand, when one views the transcript in the light most favorable to Julie, there can be

little doubt that without any prior notice, Julie was confronted by Ray and her priest with an alleged extramarital affair. With Julie being in a vulnerable position and in fear of losing custody of her children, her

priest sent her husband out of the room so that they could talk privately. With only McBride and Julie in

the room, the conversation continued:

McBride: Ray, get out, go back to the back room.

Julie: (unintelligible)

McBride: Listen, sit back.

Julie: You don’t have a right to be touching me Jerry, move back.

McBride: Sit back and let me talk a minute. Ok. Sit back. (UI) because I love you

and I want you to. And I’m not gonna let you, I’m not gonna let you do

anything to me that not true. I’ll take responsibility, this is not fun for me.

I didn’t want to be here.

Julie: Then why are you here?

McBride: Because I love you and I didn’t want you to be alone. This is not a

contest, it’s gonna be bad enough. It’s gonna be bad enough.

Julie: No, it’s not gonna be bad enough. I’ll give up my rights, everything I’m

entitled to and I’ll ------- walk away. And I’ll walk away with my

children and he’ll be able to see the children whenever he wants to.

That’s all I want.

McBride: But ya’ll have to work.

Julie: That’s all I want, it’s that simple. 
17

McBride: It’s not that simple, Julie.

Julie: Yes it is.

McBride: cause, cause (UI)

Julie: I didn’t fault you for (UI) with Jerry (UI) You look at my (UI)

McBride: I promise you, if there was any way for me not to be here, I wouldn’t. I’m

here because I love you and I love Ray. If you think anything different,

Julie: I just wish there had been another woman....

McBride: It doesn’t matter. There will be plenty of time for that, Julie. It had to

happen sometime. And I’m telling you is that this could be so much

worse.

Julie: Why.

McBride: There are folks, men and women who ambush each other, I mean in big

ways.

. . .

McBride: The point I’m making to you is that this is not conducive and that this

could be a lot harder and the reason, I’m just telling you, I just want to

talk to you. This isn’t gonna end and I will not, this is not an ambush on

my part, I’m here because I love you, I didn’t want to be here.

Julie: I have been ambushed, you may not felt like you don’t [sic] it but I have

been ambushed.

McBride: Had you rather that I had not been here?

Julie: I wish that I had somebody, a woman.

. . . 

McBride: I know that. (UI) I can’t break a confidence. When Ray called me I had

no choice.

. . .

McBride: Julie, (UI) Ray, come on back, (UI)

Julie: Get the ---- out of here.

McBride: I couldn’t break . . .

Julie: I am by myself. Do you understand that?

McBride: Yeah, tell me about it, tell me about it. Do you want to match stories?

Julie: No, but I didn’t get in the middle of you and Molly either.

McBride: You’re also not our priest.

. . .

McBride: Julie, I had no right to call anybody, that would have broken a confidence.

I can’t legally do that. I know it would have broken a confidence for me

to have called somebody. You understand that?

Julie: So what, so what, so what, so what?

. . .

McBride: You know what I think. (UI) It’s gonna matter, it’s gonna matter a lot,

everything matters. Trust me. I’m here cause I’m your friend and Ray’s

friend. I do not advise (UI), I’m a priest, I’m not a lawyer.

. . .
18

McBride: I’m gonna leave (UI). Can we talk later?

Julie: I don’t know.

McBride: You don’t want to? (UI) That’s the only thing I want me and you to do.

. . .

[Ray re-enters the room and McBride leaves soon thereafter.]

After leaving the Mabus home, McBride went to one of Julie’s friends and told her about the confrontation.

McBride also telephoned a mutual friend living in California and told her about the confrontation. 

¶27. Whether a fiduciary duty exists is ordinarily a question of fact. Lowery, 592 So.2d at 85 (citing

S. Mortg. Co. v. O'Dom, 699 F. Supp. 1227, 1231 (S.D. Miss. 1988). The Ohio appellate court found

a priest liable for divulging the confidence of someone with whom the priest was in a fiduciary relationship.

See Alexander v. Culp, 705 N.E.2d 378 (Ohio Ct. App. 1997) (after a woman sought counseling from

minister for marital problems, the minister told her husband; court found that woman had a claim for breach

of confidentiality). A federal district court in Texas has held that a question of whether there was a fiduciary

relationship between a minister and parishioners was a question of fact to be determined by a jury.

Sanders v. Casa View Baptist Church, 898 F. Supp. 1169, 1176 (N.D. Tex. 1996), aff’d, 134

F.3d 331 (5th Cir. 1998).

¶28. For the foregoing reasons, we affirm the trial court’s finding that Julie’s claim for breach of fiduciary

duty is not prohibited by the First Amendment, but that a priest may not be held to be in a fiduciary

relationship merely based upon his status as a priest. Additionally, when reviewing the transcript of the

meeting as well as the entire record, there is equally no doubt that Julie has failed to prove the existence

of a fiduciary relationship between McBride and her. Here are but portions of the trial court’s

memorandum opinion on the summary judgment issue:

Julie Mabus has not brought any evidence to this Court’s attention, nor even alleged in her

amended complaint, that she was a dependent person or reposed any trust or confidence

in defendant McBride in the course of her confession to adultery.
19

***************

[Julie] has completely failed to call to this Court’s attention any evidence that would rebut

that assertion [by Ray that neither he nor McBride informed Julie that McBride was

present at the meeting as a marriage counselor], and the transcript of the subject meeting

totally belies her allegation that she was requested by her husband “to attend a marital

counseling session with her priest.”

***************

There is no evidence that Julie Mabus was placing a special trust or confidence in Jerry

McBride, nor that she was dependent upon him in any way. The evidence conclusively

establishes the contrary. 

***************

Nothing, whatsoever, approaching any reasonable concept of marital counseling was

discussed. 

***************

The Court is of the opinion, however, that [Julie’s] words therein leave nothing at all to

interpretation or imagination.

The trial judge’s finding that the record before him revealed, inter alia, beyond a reasonable doubt that Julie

was “unable to prove any facts at trial to support her claim of a fiduciary relationship” was eminently

correct. 

¶29. Under the theory of vicarious liability, the Church and Diocese may only be held liable for the

actions of their employee taken within the course and scope of his employment. Since we find that

McBride cannot be held liable under Julie’s claim of a fiduciary relationship, the Church and/or the Diocese

likewise cannot be held liable. Julie has shown no facts to prove that the Church or Diocese authorized

or ratified McBride’s actions in this case. 

B. Fraudulent Concealment.

¶30. The trial court denied summary judgment as to the fraudulent concealment claim against McBride,

but dismissed the claim against the Church and Diocese. In arguing that the trial court erred, McBride relies

on several arguments: that he did not have a duty to inform Julie that Ray was taping the conversation

because it is not illegal or tortious to tape a conversation; under a section entitled “Denial, Concession, and
8While McBride also argues in his brief that the trial court expanded Julie’s allegations of fraudulent

concealment to an action for fraud and conspiracy, we find that this sub-issue is without merit. The

allegations contained in the First Amended Complaint were sufficient to place McBride and the other

defendants on notice that Julie was alleging that it was McBride’s affirmative actions and representations,

and not just silence, that caused Julie’s alleged injuries. Furthermore, in each instance where Julie was

relying on McBride’s silence, she was also arguing that a fiduciary relationship existed. In the absence of

a fiduciary relationship, an affirmative act of concealment is necessary.

9Not only is this issue procedurally barred, it is without merit. 

20

Estoppel”, that Julie relied on a fiduciary relationship to establish a duty and conceded that if McBride was

a neighbor next door, she would not have a claim and that she made a strategic decision to plead and allege

the silence of McBride and not an affirmative act;8 that the trial court failed to follow Miss. R. Civ. P. 56

by permitting Julie to file an affidavit subsequent to the hearing;9 and that the trial court made unsupported

factual and legal inferences concerning the outcome of the Mabus child custody matter thereby impeaching

the chancellor’s decision in that case.

¶31. The defendants relied on two of this Court's cases to argue that it is not tortious for a person to

secretly record a conversation in which the person is participating. L.S. v. Miss. Bar, 649 So.2d 810

(Miss. 1994); Attorney M. v. Miss. Bar, 621 So.2d 220 (Miss. 1992). Both of those cases were

before this Court on questions of whether attorneys violated the rules of professional conduct. Here, the

trial court found:

The actual ruling in the Attorney M. case was that there was nothing remiss in

surreptitious tape recording “when the act, ‘considered within the context of the

circumstances then existing,’ does not rise to the level if dishonest, fraud, deceit, or

misrepresentation.’” [Attorney M., 621 So.2d at 223 (quoting Netterville v.

Mississippi State Bar, 397 So.2d 878, 883 (Miss. 1981).] The converse, of course,

is that such recordings are to be condemned when they do rise to the level of dishonesty,

fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation. Thus, if cases addressing the propriety vel non of

attorneys secretly tape recording conversations are applicable to non-lawyers such as

defendant McBride, his motion for summary judgment must fail.
10The trial court then quoted much of the transcript to which we have already referred.

21

The trial court further stated that McBride was not just a “wallflower”and that he participated “in a charade

for [Julie] to believe that the conversation to follow would be just between the two of them”10 and that

McBride “did the great majority of the wheedling on behalf of Ray Mabus, doggedly cajoling Julie Mabus

to talk about her affair, first to him (McBride) and then to Ray.” The trial court then addressed the issue

of fraud. 

¶32. Fraud may be manifested in multiple ways:

In order to establish fraud, the plaintiff must prove (1) a representation, (2) its falsity, (3)

its materiality, (4) the speaker's knowledge of its falsity or ignorance of its truth, (5) his

intent that it should be acted on by the hearer and in the manner reasonably contemplated,

(6) the hearer's ignorance of its falsity, (7) his reliance on its truth, (8) his right to rely

thereon, and (9) his consequent and proximate injury. Hamilton v. McGill, 352 So.2d

825 (Miss.1977); McMahon v. McMahon, 247 Miss. 822, 157 So.2d 494 (1963);

Anderson Dunham, Inc. v. Aiken, 241 Miss. 756, 133 So.2d 527 (1961).

Furthermore, under Mississippi law, these elements must be shown by clear and convincing

evidence. Parker v. Howarth, 340 So.2d 434 (Miss.1976); Crawford v. Smith

Bros. Lumber Co., Inc., 274 So.2d 675 (Miss.1973).

Franklin v. Lovitt Equip. Co., 420 So.2d 1370, 1373 (Miss. 1982). In a contractual scenario, in

order for there to be liability for nondisclosure, silence must relate to a material fact or matter known to the

party and as to which it is his legal duty to communicate to the other contracting party. Guastella v.

Wardell, 198 So.2d 227, 230 (Miss. 1967). An affirmative act of concealment is necessary. Rankin

v. Brokman, 502 So.2d 644, 646 (Miss. 1987); Van Zandt v. Van Zandt, 227 Miss. 528, 86 So.2d

466, 470 (1956). Although this was not a contractual setting, the same legal analysis is appropriate. 

¶33. Clearly, McBride had prior knowledge that Ray was going to tape the conversation on the advice

of Ray’s attorney. Julie asserted in her affidavit that had she known that she was being taped, she would

have responded differently. Although Ray’s affidavit reveals that Julie did not divulge any new or
22

confidential information, that is immaterial as to Julie’s claim. Certainly, Ray’s knowledge is significantly

different than having Julie’s purported admission of the affair on tape. At all times, McBride was an active

participant in obtaining Julie’s statements relating to the affair. 

¶34. The trial court found that: “It would not be an unfair inference from the record in this case that [Ray]

solicited and secured the assistance of Jerry McBride in securing that recorded acknowledgment, which

was tantamount to a surrender of her custodial rights in her children.” It is this last part of the sentence to

which McBride takes issue and argues that the trial court is impeaching the chancellor’s decision.

However, McBride relies on no legal authority, Therefore, this Court need not consider this issue. Grey

v. Grey, 638 So.2d 488, 491 (Miss. 1994) (collecting authorities).

¶35. When considering the record before us and the applicable law, we thus find that the trial court’s

denial of summary judgment as to the fraudulent concealment claim against McBride was proper. As to

the dismissal of the Church and Diocese, Julie argues that while the order provided ten pages of justification

as to McBride, there was virtually no discussion as to the Church and Diocese. Therefore, Julies asserts

that she must assume that the trial court made a finding that McBride acted outside of his authority as a

priest despite McBride’s affidavit stating that he was present at the Mabus home in his capacity as an

Episcopalian priest even though McBride stated in his affidavit that “[m]y purpose for being present in the

Mabus residence on the day in question was simply to be supportive of members of the church during a

time of family crisis.” Julie relies on Fruchter v. Lynch Oil Co., 522 So.2d 195 (Miss. 1988), in her

attempt to hold the church and diocese liable.

¶36. There is no vicarious liability where an agent acted with personal or malicious motive, unless the

principal authorized or ratified the acts. McClinton v. Delta Pride Catfish, Inc., 792 So.2d at 976

(citing Forrest County Cooperative Ass’n v. McCafferty, 176 So.2d at 290). Julie has shown no
23

facts to prove that the Church or Diocese authorized or ratified McBride’s actions in this case. Therefore,

we find that the grant of summary judgment on the fraudulent concealment claim against the Church and

Diocese was proper.

C. The Remaining Negligence claims.

¶37. Julie also asserted claims for negligent misrepresentation, negligent infliction of emotional distress,

clergy malpractice, and negligent supervision and retention. The trial court granted summary judgment on

each of these claims as to all defendants. Julie concedes that clergy malpractice claims have been rejected

across the country; however, she argues that courts have recognized the remaining negligence claims

without violating the Free Exercise Clause or the Establishment Clause. 

¶38. Illinois has “soundly rejected” a cause of action for clergy malpractice and, in doing so, analyzed

other state court cases uniformly rejecting a cause of action for clergy malpractice:

The following state supreme courts have held that there is no cause of action for clergy

malpractice: Handley v. Richards, 518 So.2d 682 (Ala.1987); Moses v. Diocese,

863 P.2d 310 (Colo.1993), cert. denied, 511 U.S. 1137, 114 S.Ct. 2153, 128 L.Ed.2d

880 (1994);Destefano v. Grabrian, 763 P.2d 275 (Colo.1988); Byrd v. Faber, 57

Ohio St.3d 56, 565 N.E.2d 584 (1991); Strock v. Pressnell, 38 Ohio St.3d 207, 527

N.E.2d 1235 (1988); Schieffer v. Catholic Archdiocese, 244 Neb. 715, 508

N.W.2d 907 (1993). Two other state supreme courts have defeated clergy malpractice

actions on other grounds without determining the propriety of causes of action for clergy

malpractice: Doe v. Roman Catholic Diocese, 862 S.W.2d 338 (Mo.1993), and

Bladen v. First Presbyterian Church, 857 P.2d 789 (Okla.1993). Other state courts

refusing to recognize clergy malpractice claims include Nally v. Grace Community

Church of the Valley, 240 Cal.Rptr. 215 (Cal.App.1987), rev'd on other grounds,

47 Cal.3d 278, 253 Cal.Rptr. 97, 763 P.2d 948 (1988), cert. denied, 490 U.S. 1007,

109 S.Ct. 1644, 104 L.Ed.2d 159 (1989); Fontaine v. Roman Catholic Church,

625 So.2d 548 (La.Ct.App.1993); Jones by Jones v. Trane, 153 Misc.2d 822, 591

N.Y.S.2d 927 (Sup.Ct.1992); and E.J.M. v. Archdiocese, 424 Pa.Super. 449, 622

A.2d 1388 (1993).

Dausch v. Rykse, 52 F.3d 1425, 1432 n.4 (7th Cir. 1994) (Ripple, J., concurring in part & dissenting

in part). “This unanimity is based on the difficulty that would be encountered in evaluating such a claim
24

without entangling the civil courts in extensive investigation and evaluation of religious tenets.” Id. (relying

uponThomas v. Review Bd., 450 U.S. 707, 716, 101 S.Ct. 1425, 1431, 67 L.Ed.2d 624 (1981) and

Serbian E. Orthodox Diocese v. Milivojevich, 426 U.S. at 724-25, 96 S.Ct. at 2387-88).

¶39. The same may be said for all of the remaining negligence claims. “To prevail on a negligence claim,

the plaintiff must establish by a preponderance of the evidence each of the elements of negligence: duty,

breach, causation and injury.” Miss. Dep't of Transp. v. Cargile, 847 So.2d 258, 262 ¶ 11 (Miss.

2003) (citing Leflore County v. Givens, 754 So.2d 1223, 1230 (Miss. 2000) (citing Lovett v.

Bradford, 676 So.2d 893, 896 (Miss. 1996)). It is in the establishment of the duty of McBride, the

Church, and the Diocese that would excessively entangle this Court into the investigation and evaluation

of religious tenets. Therefore, we find that the trial judge was eminently correct in granting summary

judgment dismissing the remaining claims against all defendants.

III. Recusal.

¶40. The final issue on appeal is whether the trial judge erred in denying Julie's recusal motion. In the

August 21, 2002, “Memorandum Opinion Regarding Defendants’ Motion For Partial Summary Judgment

on Plaintiff’s Breach-of-Fiduciary-Duty Claims,” the judge wrote:

The Mabus children, two young girls, twelve and ten years of age, deserve some measure

of privacy and this Court is not willing to even incidentally sacrifice that peace of mind upon

the altar of their mother’s vain pursuit of lucre.

Julie argues that this statement caused her to question whether the trial judge was influenced by matters

outside the pleadings inasmuch as he made unsupported assumptions of the children’s needs and desires

without facts or testimony, and expressed strong negative opinions about Julie and her motivation to

proceed with this lawsuit.
25

¶41. This Court applies the manifest error standard when reviewing a judge's refusal to recuse himself.

Bredemeier v. Jackson, 689 So.2d 770, 774 (Miss. 1997) (citing Davis v. Neshoba County Gen.

Hosp., 611 So.2d 904, 905 (Miss. 1992)). Pursuant to the Code of Judicial Conduct, a judge must

disqualify when that judge's "impartiality might be questioned by a reasonable person knowing all the

circumstances ... including but not limited to instances where: (a) the judge has a personal bias or prejudice

concerning a party, or personal knowledge of disputed evidentiary facts concerning the proceeding." Code

of Judicial Conduct, Canon 3(E)(1). The test for recusal has been stated as follows: "[W]ould a reasonable

person, knowing all the circumstances, harbor doubts about the judge's impartiality?" In re

Conservatorship of Bardwell, 849 So.2d 1240, 1247 (Miss. 2003); Bredemeier, 689 So.2d at 774

(citing Frierson v. State, 606 So.2d 604, 606 (Miss. 1992); Rutland v. Pridgen, 493 So.2d 952,

954 (Miss. 1986)). This Court presumes a judge to be qualified and unbiased, and that presumption must

be overcome by evidence producing a "reasonable doubt" about the validity of the presumption. Turner

v. State, 573 So.2d 657, 678 (Miss. 1990).

¶42. We find without doubt that the subject statement contained in the August 21, 2002, Memorandum

Opinion is insufficient to overcome the presumption. Nor has Julie presented any other evidence raising

a question of Judge DeLaughter’s ability to be impartial in this matter. Therefore, the trial court did not err

in denying the recusal motion.

CONCLUSION

¶43. For the reasons herein stated, we unhesitatingly affirm in toto the trial court’s judgments and remand

this case to the Circuit Court of Hinds County, First Judicial District, for appropriate disposition of Julie’s

claim of fraudulent concealment against Jerry McBride, individually.
26

¶44. NO. 2003-CA-00123-SCT: AFFIRMED. NO. 2003-IA-00439-SCT: AFFIRMED

AND REMANDED.

SMITH, C.J., WALLER, P.J., EASLEY AND RANDOLPH, JJ., CONCUR.

DICKINSON, J., CONCURS IN PART AND DISSENTS IN PART WITH SEPARATE

WRITTEN OPINION JOINED BY COBB, P.J. DIAZ AND GRAVES, JJ., NOT

PARTICIPATING.

DICKINSON, JUSTICE, CONCURRING IN PART AND DISSENTING IN PART:

¶45. Writing for the majority, Justice Carlson has, in my opinion, fully and appropriately addressed

almost every issue in this case. However, because I believe summary judgment should have been granted

on the fraudulent concealment claim against Jerry McBride, I must respectfully dissent.

¶46. Julie contends she was “ambushed” by her husband, Ray Mabus, and her priest, Jerry McBride.

She was. Nevertheless, an “ambush” is not synonymous with fraudulent concealment. I am persuaded that

McBride was entitled to summary judgment for several reasons. First, Julie falls far short of demonstrating

triable issues on the elements of fraudulent concealment. Second, the majority incorrectly claims that the

transcript reflects Julie's admissions of adultery, which was “tantamount to a surrender of her custodial

rights.” Finally, it seems to me contrary to public policy for Julie to claim as damages an award of custody

in the best interest of her children.

Fraudulent concealment

¶47. The majority correctly cites Guastella v. Wardell, 198 So. 2d 227 (Miss. 1967), for the

proposition that, “in order for there to be liability for nondisclosure, silence must relate to a material fact

or matter known to the party and to which it is his legal duty to communicate to the other contracting party.”
27

Having correctly recited the principle of law, however, the majority provides no explanation of McBride’s

“legal duty” to communicate to Julie that Ray was secretly recording the meeting. While I do not approve

or condone McBride’s behavior, I find no authority which suggests he had a legal duty to inform Julie of

Ray’s secret recording.

¶48. The majority also relies upon Rankin v. Brokman, 502 So. 2d 644 (Miss. 1987). I agree that

Rankin is on point, although I find a more complete recitation from that case is helpful. In Rankin this

Court held that, in some cases of fraud, there may be no evidence of a misrepresentation. However, “this

does not end the inquiry.” The Court stated: 

The omission or concealment of material facts can constitute a misrepresentation. But in

such a case, this Court has held that:

[I]n order to recover damages for fraudulent concealment [the plaintiff]

must demonstrate [that the defendant] took some action, affirmative in

nature, which was designed or intended to prevent and which did prevent

the discovery of the facts giving rise to the fraud claim. Davidson v.

Rogers, 431 So. 2d 483, 485 (Miss. 1983).

Rankin, 502 So. 2d at 646.

¶49. Neither the majority nor Julie has suggested any action by McBride (beyond his silence) to conceal

the tape recording. The majority incorrectly substitutes McBride’s participation in the conversation for the

required active participation in the concealment of the recording. It is not the conversation that Julie alleges

was concealed from her, but rather the recording of it. Absent some active participation by McBride in

secretly recording the conversation, or some other legal duty to disclose to Julie that Ray was secretly

recording the conversation, there can be no liability for fraudulent concealment.

Admission of adultery
28

¶50. The majority refers to Julie’s “purported admission of the affair on tape,” and her “statements

relating to the affair,” and the “recorded acknowledgment” of the affair. Indeed, the majority simply

assumes that, when confronted by Ray (in the presence of McBride), Julie admitted to having an affair.

It is this alleged admission which supposedly led to Julie’s loss of custody and, thus, her claim of damages.

However, the transcript of the conversation between Julie, Ray and McBride reveals no such admission.

Thus, the very basis of Julie’s claim of damages does not exist.

Public policy

¶51. Finally, even if the transcript reflected Julie’s admission to having an affair (which it doesn’t) and

even if the assumed admission of an affair had been considered by the chancellor in awarding custody of

the children to Ray, it seems to me public policy would prevent Julie from claiming the loss of custody as

“damages.” Presumably, the chancellor in Julie’s divorce proceeding awarded custody of the children

based upon the best interests of the children. If the chancellor’s decision was based, in part, on the

transcript, we must assume that the decision would be different only if the transcript was unavailable, and

the content of the conversation was misrepresented to the chancellor. Surely, Julie does not assert that she

was damaged by being deprived of an opportunity to misrepresent the content of the conversation to the

court.

¶52. In summary, I believe McBride had three appropriate, moral, honorable options. He could have

insisted that Ray refrain from recording the meeting; he could have informed Julie of it; or he could have

refused to attend. However, my beliefs of what is appropriate, moral or honorable cannot impose legal

responsibilities upon McBride, and I refuse to do so here. The consequences of his actions must be, I

think, determined by a higher authority. Accordingly, I dissent to the extent that the majority affirms the
29

denial of summary judgment and remands for a trial on the issue of fraudulent concealment by McBride.

In all other respects, I concur in the majority's opinion and judgment.

COBB, P.J., JOINS THIS OPINION.