Texas Supreme Court To Review Claim Against Pastor-Family Counselor

Yesterday's Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported that the Texas Supreme Court has agreed to review the state court of appeals 2004 decision in Penley v. Westbrook. The court of appeals upheld jurisdiction over several claims by Peggy Penley against Rev. C.L. 'Buddy" Westbrook, pastor of CrossLand Community Bible Church in Fort Worth. Westbrook was also a professional family counselor. Penley sued Westbrook for negligence in his secular role as counselor. After Penly decided to file for divorce against her husband, Westbrook and other church elders published a letter to church members telling them that there was no biblical basis for Penley's divorce, and that she had engaged in a 'biblically inappropriate" relationship with another man. The letter also encouraged the church members "to shun" Penley in order to obtain her repentance and restoration to the church. Westbrook has invoked the First Amendment doctrine that shields churches and clergy from civil suit over ecclesiastical matters.