Court Opinion

ID: 9672160
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-24 03:50:08.831232+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T11:17:59.385932
License: Public Domain

DONNELLY, Judge,
dissenting.
I would hold that the defendant church, in this particular case, can assert the chariable immunity doctrine as a defense. I cannot hold a church congregation legally liable, to a person attending worship services, for injuries resulting from negligent maintenance of the church premises.
I subscribe to the view expressed by the Supreme Court of South Carolina in Decker v. Bishop of Charleston, 247 S.C. 317, 147 S.E.2d 264, at 268, as follows:
“It is our conclusion that the doctrine of charitable immunity should not be overruled. The doctrine is particularly applicable in this case. Here, we have a true charity, the church, engaged in conducting a religious service and, in which, Carolyn Gohl Schmidt was participating at the time of her injury.”
I respectfully dissent.