Liability of Churches and Religious Organizations for Sexual Abuse of Children by Ministers of Religion

Abstract

This paper considers the legal issues that arise in respect of the potential liability of churches and religious organizations for sexual abuse of children perpetrated by ministers of religion. This article analyses some of the leading recent US, Canadian and Australian appellate court decisions as well as the recent House of Lords decision in Lister v Hesley Hall. It is submitted that the way that other common law jurisdictions have approached the issue of sexual abuse of children will have an important influence on the way the English courts approach such cases in the future.