Defamation Claim Against Church and Minister Dismissed

In Trice v. Burress, Okl. Ct. Civ. App., June 27, 2006), an Oklahoma appellate court upheld the dismissal of a defamation claim that had been brought against Wesley United Methodist Church of Shawnee, Oklahoma and its senior minister by Todd Trice, former youth director of the church, who had been terminated from his position. Trice alleged that the church's senior minister had told a church member that Trice had been dismissed because he was questioning his sexuality. The court held that adjudicating the claim would involve an impermissible inquiry into church disciplinary matters, barred by the First Amendment. It also held that there is a qualified privilege for statements between church officers or members about the conduct of other officers or members, as matters affecting a common interest or purpose.