Opinion ID: 1794814
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: doe v. evans

Text: In contrast to the Third District's broad holding that an inquiry into the negligent hiring decision is one governed by tort law, Malicki, 771 So.2d at 548, the Fourth District has held that the First Amendment bars consideration of claims for negligent hiring and supervision and breach of fiduciary duty against a church and a diocese where a pastor allegedly engaged in a sexual relationship with a parishioner during the course of a marital counseling relationship. See Doe v. Evans, 718 So.2d 286, 289-92 (Fla. 4th DCA 1998). In Evans, the Fourth District, in interpreting the First Amendment, appears to have adopted an approach based on the criminality of the underlying conduct of the clergy member. Under the Fourth District's analysis, a tort claim for negligent hiring and supervision and breach of fiduciary duty against a religious institution would be allowed only if the underlying conduct of the clergy involved criminal behavior. [11] As the Fourth District explained: In any event, we are persuaded that just as the State may prevent a church from offering human sacrifices, it may protect its children against injuries caused by pedophiles by authorizing civil damages against a church that knowingly (including should know) creates a situation in which such injuries are likely to occur. We recognize that the State's interest must be compelling indeed in order to interfere in the church's selection, training and assignment of its clerics. We would draw the line at criminal conduct. Id. at 289 (quoting the Fifth District's dicta in Doe v. Dorsey, 683 So.2d 614, 617 (Fla. 5th DCA 1996)). In affirming the dismissal of the complaint based on First Amendment principles, the Fourth District expressed its view that a relationship between parishioner and pastor in which the allegations fall short of alleging criminal conduct presented a less compelling factual scenario than cases involving criminal assaults, especially against children. 718 So.2d at 289-90.