Court Opinion

ID: 9862807
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-09-25 02:12:15.305841+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T11:35:05.143781
License: Public Domain

King, C.J.,
concurring specially: While recognizing that civil courts have jurisdiction over non-doctrinal matters, the opinion of the majority properly recognizes that civil courts should not become involved in ecclesiastical questions. The distinction has troubled courts, see Serbian Orthodox Diocese v. Milivojevich, 426 U.S. 696, 708-15 (1976), and a simple urging that the parties take note of this distinction in any future proceedings solves nothing, and invites protracted litigation.
Except for the parties involved and the emotional rhetoric, this is basically a simple case of an alleged breach of contract. See Bodewes v. Zuroweste, 15 Ill. App. 3d 101, 303 N.E.2d 509 (1973). The first factual determination the trial court must make is whether there was a breach of contract. If it determines that there was no breach of contract, the case will terminate. If the trial court finds that there *1052was a breach, or the defendants admit that they breached the contract, the court will have to determine the appropriate amount of damages, if any. Although the plaintiffs indicated that they were not seeking damages because of their vow of poverty, damages are generally considered an adequate remedy for breach of contract. Reinstatement is generally an inappropriate remedy for breach of a contract for personal services even if the party to render the services is willing to perform. Allbee v. Elms, 93 N.H. 202, 203, 37 A.2d 790, 791 (1944).