Tharp v. Hillcrest Baptist Church of Columbus ( 2022 )


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  • [Cite as Tharp v. Hillcrest Baptist Church of Columbus, 
    2022-Ohio-4695
    .]
    IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
    TENTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
    Kevin Tharp,                                          :
    Plaintiff-Appellant,                  :             No. 22AP-231
    (C.P.C. No. 21CV-1678)
    v.                                                    :
    (REGULAR CALENDAR)
    Hillcrest Baptist Church of Columbus,                 :
    Ohio et al.,
    :
    Defendants-Appellees.
    :
    D E C I S I O N
    Rendered on December 27, 2022
    On brief: Butler, Cincione & DiCuccio, N. Gerald DiCuccio;
    Katz, Pryor & DiCuccio, LLP, and Robert K. DiCuccio, for
    appellant. Argued: Robert K. DiCuccio.
    On brief: Reminger Co., L.P.A., and Melvin J. Davis, for
    appellees. Argued: Melvin J. Davis.
    APPEAL from the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas
    McGRATH, J.
    {¶ 1} This is an appeal by plaintiff-appellant, Kevin Tharp, from a decision and
    entry of the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, entering judgment in favor of
    defendants-appellees Hillcrest Baptist Church of Columbus, Ohio (individually "Hillcrest
    Baptist" or "the church") and Timothy W. Lee (individually "Pastor Lee") after granting
    appellees' motion for summary judgment and partial motion for judgment on the
    pleadings.
    {¶ 2} On August 22, 2018, appellant filed a complaint in Franklin C.P. No. 18CV-
    7172 naming as defendants Hillcrest Baptist, Pastor Lee, and Larry Roach. On July 31,
    2020, appellant voluntarily dismissed that action.
    No. 22AP-231                                                                               2
    {¶ 3} On March 17, 2021, appellant refiled a complaint against Hillcrest Baptist and
    Pastor Lee. On April 14, 2021, appellant filed an amended complaint, alleging causes of
    action for defamation, libel, slander, false-light invasion of privacy, invasion of privacy,
    breach of confidentiality, negligence, intentional infliction of emotional distress, clergy
    malpractice, declaratory judgment, breach of contract, and breach of fiduciary duties. On
    April 26, 2021, Hillcrest Baptist and Pastor Lee (collectively "appellees") filed a partial
    motion for judgment on the pleadings. On May 10, 2021, appellant filed a memorandum
    contra. On September 17, 2021, the trial court filed a decision and entry granting appellees'
    partial motion for judgment on the pleadings, thereby dismissing appellant's claims for
    declaratory judgment, breach of contract, and breach of fiduciary duties.
    {¶ 4} On September 27, 2021, appellees filed a motion for summary judgment as
    to appellant's remaining claims. On October 25, 2021, appellant filed a memorandum in
    opposition. On April 4, 2022, the trial court filed a decision and entry granting appellees'
    motion for summary judgment.
    {¶ 5} The following background facts are taken primarily from the decision of the
    trial court granting summary judgment in favor of appellees. According to the allegations
    in appellant's amended complaint, "on August 21, 2017, * * * Pastor Lee, a reverend with
    the Church, held a private conference where '[Pastor] Lee asked [appellant] about a past
    encounter that occurred with another Hillcrest Baptist Church congregant over thirty years
    ago.' " (Apr. 4, 2022 Decision at 3.) The meeting was prompted because a current attendee
    of the church, "now an adult, had recently recognized [appellant] as the man that sexually
    molested him when he was fifteen years old." Although appellant's complaint "blandly
    describes this sexual abuse as 'a past encounter,' [appellant] admitted in discovery to a
    pattern of sexually abusing young boys." (Apr. 4, 2022 Decision at 3-4.)
    {¶ 6} During his deposition testimony, appellant "admitted having previously
    molested the then-teen." Specifically, appellant testified he touched this individual in the
    "[g]roin area," and acknowledged that he touched this individual's penis. According to
    appellant's deposition, this was not "the only minor that [appellant] abused." (Apr. 4, 2022
    Decision at 4.)
    {¶ 7} In its summary judgment decision, the trial court cited the following portion
    of appellant's deposition testimony:
    Q. How many minors did you touch?
    No. 22AP-231                                                                              3
    A. You'll have to ask that a different way.
    Q. No, I don't think I do.
    A. I can't answer that then.
    Q. Do you know how many minors you touched in the groin
    area?
    A. I know, yes.
    Q. All right. Then I'm asking you to tell me.
    A. Four knew it.
    Q. There were some you touched while they were asleep?
    A. Yes.
    Q. How many did you touch while they were asleep?
    A. I don't remember. I don't remember.
    Q. Was it more than five?
    A. I don't remember.
    (Apr. 4, 2022 Decision at 4, quoting Appellant's Depo. at 19-20.)
    {¶ 8} The trial court found appellant's "description of this abuse was both candid
    and unapologetic." (Apr. 4, 2022 Decision at 4.) In response to an inquiry as to why he
    waited until the individuals were asleep to touch them, appellant responded: "It's the only
    way I could risk it without being rejected. I had very low self-esteem." (Apr. 4, 2022
    Decision at 4, quoting Appellant's Depo. at 26.)
    {¶ 9} The trial court found that "[d]espite admitting to sexually abusing minors
    while they slept," appellant "took exception to characterizing that conduct as molestation."
    When asked during his deposition if he considered his conduct "to be molestation,"
    appellant responded "[n]o," stating there was "no sexual intent." Appellant characterized
    his intent as "[s]howing affection." (Apr. 4, 2022 Decision at 5, quoting Appellant's Depo.
    at 23.) When asked why he touched the groin area, appellant stated: "Most pleasurable part
    No. 22AP-231                                                                              4
    for a person of the male species." (Apr. 4, 2022 Decision at 5, quoting Appellant's Depo. at
    24.)
    {¶ 10} After confronting appellant "with this history, Pastor Lee held an emergency
    meeting at the Church to discuss [appellant's] admitted history of sexual abuse." During
    that meeting, "Pastor Lee informed the congregation that he'd consulted with professionals
    at Netcare, who opined in turn that [appellant] had an incurable disease, and that his
    conduct at the Church amounted to grooming children." (Apr. 4, 2022 Decision at 5.)
    {¶ 11} In its summary judgment decision, the trial court also cited the following
    portion of the deposition testimony of Marc Cooper, a member of Hillcrest Baptist:
    Q. Did [Pastor Lee] ever say that [appellant] had an incurable
    disease?
    A. He did not say that. He said that he had talked to
    professionals that said that it was an incurable disease.
    ***
    Q. Did he say that [appellant] was grooming children? And
    when I say "grooming," do you know what I mean?
    A. (Indicates affirmatively.)
    Q. Did he say that?
    A. Again, he said professionals told him that that's what
    [appellant] was doing.
    (Apr. 4, 2022 Decision at 5, quoting Cooper Depo. at 21.)
    {¶ 12} In granting appellees' partial motion for judgment on the pleadings, the trial
    court determined it lacked subject-matter jurisdiction, under the ecclesiastical abstention
    doctrine, over appellant's claims for declaratory judgment, breach of contract, and breach
    of fiduciary duty. In its summary judgment decision, the trial court determined appellees
    were entitled to summary judgment on the remaining claims on the grounds: (1) truth is an
    absolute defense to the claims, (2) the statements at issue constituted statements of
    opinion, and (3) Pastor Lee had a qualified privilege to protect members of the
    congregation.
    No. 22AP-231                                                                                  5
    {¶ 13} On appeal, appellant sets forth the following two assignments of error for this
    court's review:
    I. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED TO THE PREJUDICE OF
    PLAINTIFF IN GRANTING DEFENDANTS' MOTION FOR
    JUDGMENT ON THE PLEADINGS.
    II. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED TO THE PREJUDICE OF
    PLAINTIFF IN GRANTING DEFENDANTS' MOTION FOR
    SUMMARY JUDGMENT AS PLAINTIFF PRESENTED
    GENUINE ISSUES OF MATERIAL FACT NECESSITATING
    TRIAL.
    {¶ 14} Under his first assignment of error, appellant asserts the trial court erred in
    granting appellees' partial motion for judgment on the pleadings. Specifically, appellant
    argues the trial court erred in granting the motion based on the ecclesiastical abstention
    doctrine.
    {¶ 15} An appeal of a decision "granting a motion for judgment on the pleadings
    under Civ.R. 12(C) raises only questions of law," and "the standard for appellate review is
    de novo." Lytal v. Crawl for Cancer, Inc., 10th Dist. No. 17AP-771, 
    2018-Ohio-2017
    , ¶ 7.
    Civ.R. 12(C) permits "any party to move for judgment on the pleadings after the time for
    pleading has closed." Id. at ¶ 8. Dismissal under Civ.R. 12(C) " 'is appropriate where a court
    (1) construes the material allegations in the complaint, with all reasonable inferences to be
    drawn therefrom, in favor of the nonmoving party as true, and (2) finds beyond doubt, that
    the plaintiff could prove no set of facts in support of his claim that would entitle him to
    relief.' " Id., citing Lin v. Gatehouse Constr. Co., 
    84 Ohio App.3d 96
    , 99 (8th Dist.1992).
    {¶ 16} As noted, the trial court determined it lacked subject-matter jurisdiction over
    several of appellant's claims based on the ecclesiastical abstention doctrine. Insofar as the
    trial court determined "it did not have jurisdiction of claims that involved purely
    ecclesiastical matters, our review is also de novo." Zhelezny v. Olesh, 10th Dist. No. 12AP-
    681, 
    2013-Ohio-4337
    , ¶ 10, citing Crosby-Edwards v. Ohio Bd. of Embalmers & Funeral
    Dirs., 
    175 Ohio App.3d 213
    , 
    2008-Ohio-762
    , ¶ 21 (10th Dist.). Further, "when a trial court
    determines its subject-matter jurisdiction, it is not confined to the allegations of the
    complaint and it may consider any pertinent evidentiary materials in ruling upon a motion
    to dismiss." 
    Id.,
     citing Nemazee v. Mt. Sinai Med. Ctr., 
    56 Ohio St.3d 109
    , 110 (1990);
    Southgate Dev. Corp. v. Columbia Gas Transmission Corp., 
    48 Ohio St.2d 211
     (1976).
    No. 22AP-231                                                                                   6
    {¶ 17} It is well-settled that " 'civil courts lack jurisdiction to hear or determine
    purely ecclesiastical or spiritual disputes of a church or religious organization,' " otherwise
    " 'known as the ecclesiastical abstention doctrine.' " Mt. Pilgrim Baptist Church, Inc. v.
    Bishop, 6th Dist. No. L-14-1206, 
    2015-Ohio-5161
    , ¶ 36, quoting Tibbs v. Kendrick, 
    93 Ohio App.3d 35
    , 41 (8th Dist.1994). This principle reflects the recognition that " '[a]ll who unite
    themselves to such a body [* * * i.e. the church] do so with an implied consent to [its]
    government, and are bound to submit to it. * * * It is of the essence of these religious unions,
    and of their right to establish tribunals for the decision of questions arising among
    themselves, that those decisions should be binding in all cases of ecclesiastical cognizance,
    subject only to such appeals as the organism itself provides for.' " Plough v. Lavelle, 
    170 Ohio App.3d 720
    , 
    2006-Ohio-6200
    , ¶ 16 (11th Dist.), quoting Watson v. Jones, 
    80 U.S. 679
    ,
    729 (1871).
    {¶ 18} Ohio appellate courts, in summarizing principles derived from "a long line of
    United States Supreme Court precedent dating back to 1871, have articulated the
    ecclesiastical abstention doctrine as a two-part test used to determine whether a court has
    subject matter jurisdiction over a church dispute." Mt. Pilgrim Baptist Church at ¶ 37.
    Under "the first step, courts must determine whether the organization is hierarchical or
    congregational." 
    Id.,
     citing Bhatti v. Singh, 
    148 Ohio App.3d 386
    , 
    2002-Ohio-3348
    , ¶ 25
    (12th Dist.). In this respect, " '[a] hierarchical polity exists when "the religious congregation
    * * * is but a subordinate member of some general church organization in which there are
    superior ecclesiastical tribunals with a general and ultimate power of control more or less
    complete, in some supreme judicatory over the whole membership of that general
    organization." ' " 
    Id.,
     quoting State ex rel. Morrow v. Hill, 
    51 Ohio St.2d 74
    , 76 (1977),
    quoting Watson at 722-23. On the other hand, "a congregational polity exists where a
    religious congregation 'is strictly independent of other ecclesiastical associations, and so far
    as church government is concerned, owes no fealty or obligation to any higher authority.' "
    
    Id.,
     quoting Watson at 722.
    {¶ 19} If an organization "is congregational, then the court determines whether the
    dispute is ecclesiastical or secular in nature." 
    Id.,
     citing Tibbs at 43. A court "maintains
    jurisdiction over secular issues." 
    Id.,
     citing Tibbs at 42.
    {¶ 20} In addressing appellees' partial motion for judgment on the pleadings, the
    trial court cited allegations in appellant's amended complaint indicating that appellant and
    No. 22AP-231                                                                                 7
    Pastor Lee, on August 21, 2017, "held a private conference where '[Pastor] Lee asked
    [appellant] about a past encounter that occurred with another Hillcrest Baptist Church
    congregant over thirty years ago" after "[t]he church attendee had recently recognized
    [appellant] as the man who had sexually molested him as a teenager." (Sept. 17, 2021
    Decision at 1-2.) Appellant "acknowledged sexually molesting the attendee when the
    attendee was a minor—and, indeed, admits the same to this Court." (Sept. 17, 2021
    Decision at 2.)
    {¶ 21} On August 24, 2017, Pastor Lee conducted "a meeting at the church to discuss
    [appellant's] admitted prior history. * * * On October 12, 2017, the Hillcrest Board of
    Trustees, referred to as the 'Vision Team' at Hillcrest * * * convened a meeting and voted to
    remove [appellant] from church leadership and church membership." (Sept. 17, 2021
    Decision at 2.) The trial court, based on the allegations presented, granted appellees' partial
    motion for judgment on the pleadings and dismissed appellant's claims for declaratory
    judgment, breach of contract, and breach of fiduciary duties on the basis that it lacked
    subject-matter jurisdiction over those claims pursuant to the ecclesiastical abstention
    doctrine.
    {¶ 22} In opposing appellees' partial motion for judgment on the pleadings,
    appellant asserted the church bylaws required notice of a special business meeting, and that
    the August 24, 2017 meeting in which Pastor Lee informed the church body of appellant's
    past conduct with a youth was improperly conducted. Appellant thus sought a declaratory
    judgment based on the purported failure of appellees to follow their internal bylaws in
    revoking appellant's leadership positions and membership in the church.
    {¶ 23} The trial court held, however, "[w]hether the Church acted arbitrarily and
    capriciously in de-selecting [appellant's] membership and leadership * * * are
    fundamentally non-justiciable questions pursuant to the ecclesiastical abstention
    doctrine." (Sept. 17, 2021 Decision at 4.) In reaching that determination, the trial court
    cited and discussed various provisions of the Hillcrest Baptist bylaws. Specifically, citing
    Article II, Section 2 of the bylaws, providing in part that "[a]ll Officers, Vision Team
    members, and Committee members shall be active members of Hillcrest Baptist Church in
    good standing and not novice Christians," the trial court observed "the Bylaws * * *
    expressly provide that eligibility to serve in Leadership is contingent on both Church
    membership and adherence to Christian principles." (Emphasis sic.) (Sept. 17, 2021
    No. 22AP-231                                                                                 8
    Decision at 5.) The court noted that, under Article VI, Section 2 of the church's constitution,
    "Leadership's duties include 'the administration of the church and the endeavors to fulfill
    the policies and procedures of the scripture and of the church as outlined in the
    constitution.' " (Emphasis sic.) (Sept. 17, 2021 Decision at 5.) The court further noted that
    "[c]hurch membership, in turn, is governed by Article IV, Section 2 [of the constitution],
    providing that: 'Members are expected to live daily in a Christian manner as explained in
    the scriptures,' " and that "[u]ltimately, Article III, Section 3 states that: 'This Church
    accepts the Holy Scriptures as its authority and guide in all matters pertaining to our belief,
    faith, and daily walk of life.' " (Emphasis sic.) (Sept. 17, 2021 Decision at 5.) Finally, the
    trial court observed that, pursuant to Article IV, Section 3, church membership "could be
    terminated upon approval of the Vision Team * * * '[b]y erasure or exclusion because of
    grossly immoral and non-Christian conduct.' " (Emphasis sic.) (Sept. 17, 2021 Decision at
    5.)
    {¶ 24} In analyzing those internal documents of Hillcrest Baptist, the trial court held
    in pertinent part:
    Simply put, for the Church, internal questions of membership,
    leadership, and governance are inextricably linked to their
    theology.
    Under those circumstances, the Court is unable to adjudicate
    the presence or absence of circumstances so irreconcilable with
    articles of faith as might necessitate procedural deviation from
    ordinary decision-making per the internal bylaws. Nor is the
    Court able to assess ultimate substantive ecclesiastical
    questions regarding membership and participation. Simply
    put, lacking any ability to adjudicate who can be a Church
    member or Church leader, and being unable to measure what
    theological weight to be given to particular faith infractions as
    might require deviance from the ordinary course, the Court is
    unable to assert subject matter jurisdiction over these causes of
    action. And, indeed, that sort of jurisprudential-theological
    impasse is the primary reason for the ecclesiastical abstention
    doctrine in the first place.
    (Sept. 17, 2021 Decision at 5-6.)
    {¶ 25} On appeal, appellant argues he "narrowly contends" that: (1) appellees failed
    to provide notice of a special business meeting conducted on or about August 24, 2017,
    (2) appellees prevented appellant from attending a "Board of Trustees meeting on
    No. 22AP-231                                                                                  9
    October 12, 2017," during which appellant was "removed from his position on the Board of
    Trustees without the opportunity to defend himself," and (3) during the meeting on
    October 12, 2017, a voting member of each team was not present, and an individual was
    permitted to cast a vote for appellant's removal in contravention of Hillcrest Baptist's
    constitution and bylaws. (Appellant's Brief at 13.)
    {¶ 26} We note, at the outset, the parties in this case do not dispute that Hillcrest
    Baptist is a congregational organization. In such circumstances, "this court must * * *
    determine if the issues involve ecclesiastical or secular issues." Jones v. Wilson, 8th Dist.
    No. 88890, 
    2007-Ohio-6484
    , ¶ 21. In this respect, "[c]ourts are * * * permitted to hear
    controversies that are purely secular and require no inquiry into ecclesiastical matters."
    State ex rel. First New Shiloh Baptist Church v. Meagher, 1st Dist. No. C-960371 (Apr. 16,
    1997). Generally, courts may consider church disputes such as those in which "[t]he sole
    issue concerns the ownership of real property." S. Ohio State Executive Offices of Church
    of God v. Fairborn Church of God, 
    61 Ohio App.3d 526
    , 537 (2d Dist.1989). See also Jones
    at ¶ 21 ("Where a dispute involves non-doctrinal contractual disputes, a civil court retains
    jurisdiction."). However, if a court "has to inquire into church doctrine, and go beyond
    completely neutral principles, then the court does not have jurisdiction to hear the dispute."
    
    Id.,
     citing Salzgaber v. First Christian Church, 
    65 Ohio App.3d 368
    , 372 (4th Dist.1989).
    {¶ 27} Accordingly, "courts have no role in determining ecclesiastical questions in
    the process of resolving property disputes," and therefore "the First Amendment
    commands civil courts to decide church property disputes without resolving underlying
    controversies over religious doctrine." Bennett v. Evangelical Lutheran Church in Am., S.
    Ohio SNYOD, 
    97 Ohio App.3d 786
    , 789 (10th Dist.1994). See also Turner v. Tri-Cty.
    Baptist Church of Cincinnati, 12th Dist. No. CA2018-03-050, 
    2018-Ohio-4658
    , ¶ 16,
    quoting Hutchison v. Thomas, 
    789 F.2d 392
    , 396 (6th Cir.1986) (noting "the 'neutral
    principles' exception to the ecclesiastical abstention doctrine' applies only to cases involving
    disputes over church property' * * * [and the doctrine] 'has never been extended to religious
    controversies in the areas of church government, order and discipline, nor should it be' ").
    Thus, matters involving "[c]hurch discipline, ecclesiastical government, or 'the conformity
    of the members of the church to the standard of morals required of them' is beyond the
    scope of review by a secular tribunal." Howard v. Covenant Apostolic Church, Inc., 
    124 Ohio App.3d 24
    , 28-29 (1st Dist.1997), quoting Watson at 728-29.
    No. 22AP-231                                                                                10
    {¶ 28} In cases requiring inquiry as to whether a pastor "had been engaged in
    wrongdoing," and "the heart of the inquiry would be whether or not the pastor should be
    removed," such considerations implicate "an ecclesiastical issue" for which a trial court
    lacks subject-matter jurisdiction. Robinson v. Freedom Faith Missionary Baptist Church,
    2d Dist. No. 20232, 
    2004-Ohio-2607
    , ¶ 28. See also Meagher (an inquiry into church
    finances to determine whether a pastor "engaged in wrongdoing, rendering him unqualified
    as a pastor, and whether he should be removed for misconduct," would require "[d]elving
    into the need or reason for disciplinary action," necessarily requiring a court to "review
    ecclesiastical matters"). Similarly, Ohio courts have held "congregational * * * churches are
    free from secular court scrutiny of their internal practices and discipline regarding the
    membership of the congregation." Howard at 28, citing First Baptist Church of Glen Este
    v. State, 
    591 F.Supp. 676
     (S.D.Ohio 1983); Alexander v. Shiloh Baptist Church, 
    62 Ohio Misc.2d 79
     (1991).
    {¶ 29} In asserting the trial court erred in holding it lacked subject-matter
    jurisdiction over his claims for declaratory judgment, breach of contract, and breach of
    fiduciary duty, appellant characterizes the underlying dispute as simply a secular one
    between a corporate member of a board and the corporation, and "merely contends"
    appellees failed to follow their own constitution and bylaws. (Appellant's Brief at 17.)
    {¶ 30} Appellant's argument, however, ignores the broader issue (recognized by the
    trial court) that the underlying dispute involves appellant's removal from church
    membership based on disciplinary action taken by the church after appellant
    "acknowledged sexually molesting" a current church attendee when "the attendee was a
    minor." (Sept. 17, 2021 Decision at 2.) In support of its decision, the trial court relied in
    part on Adkison v. Williams, 5th Dist. No. 18 CA 119, 
    2019-Ohio-4289
    , a decision we also
    find instructive.
    {¶ 31} Under the facts of Adkison, the appellants, 31 current or former members of
    a church, alleged they were "notified by leaders of the congregation that they were no longer
    considered church members, and that these decisions were not made in accordance with
    the congregational by-laws." Id. at ¶ 3. The appellants brought causes of action for
    declaratory judgment, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of contract, and intentional
    infliction of emotional distress. The appellees, which included the church, the church
    pastor, and several trustees, filed a motion to dismiss for lack of subject-matter jurisdiction
    No. 22AP-231                                                                               11
    pursuant to Civ.R. 12(B)(1). The trial court granted the motion based on lack of subject-
    matter jurisdiction.
    {¶ 32} On appeal, the appellants argued the trial court "erroneously applied the
    ecclesiastical abstention doctrine to the question before it of appellants' church
    membership removal." Id. at ¶ 19. The court in Adkison rejected that argument, holding
    in part:
    [A]s much as appellants in this instance seek to couch this
    dispute as a straightforward question regarding the bylaws on
    congregational voting, we are persuaded upon review that this
    dispute presents a question of internal church governance. In
    particular, we observe additional provisions under the Mount
    Calvary Baptist Church bylaws require that the final step
    regarding dismissal of membership for conduct reasons is to
    have the deacon board "take it to the church," according to
    Chapter 18, verses 15-17 of the Gospel of Matthew in the New
    Testament. * * * This type of scriptural interpretation is clearly
    outside of the ambit of a court of law pursuant to the
    requirements of the First Amendment. * * * Thus, under the
    circumstances before us in this matter, we hold the question of
    whether appellants were wrongfully dismissed from
    membership according to the written procedural mechanisms
    of the church bylaws involved an ecclesiastical question that
    the trial court, under Civ.R. 12(B)(1), correctly abstained from
    resolving.
    Id. at ¶ 21.
    {¶ 33} In Howard, a case also involving a church membership dispute, the plaintiff
    brought an action against the defendants (a church and several of its church officers)
    alleging he was "wrongfully disfellowed" from membership in the church during a meeting
    he was not permitted to attend. Howard at 28. The plaintiff in that case argued, similar to
    appellant in the instant case, that because the church is "a non-profit corporation organized
    under Ohio law," it "is therefore governed by the rules and regulations of the statute
    requiring the corporation's adherence to its constitution and by-laws" and that, "as a
    member of the Church, he has a right to sue to require the corporation to follow its by-laws."
    Id. at 30. The court in Howard rejected the appellant's argument that "the trial court had
    jurisdiction to determine whether his expulsion from membership was undertaken in
    accordance with the Church's by-laws and procedures." Id. at 29.             In reaching that
    No. 22AP-231                                                                                   12
    determination, the court observed that "membership in the Church is not the same as
    membership or trusteeship in the corporation." Id. at 30.
    {¶ 34} In the present case, as outlined by the trial court in its decision granting
    appellees' partial motion for judgment on the pleadings, membership requirements are set
    forth in the church's bylaws and constitution. Article III, Section 3 of the constitution
    provides in part that the church "accepts the Holy Scriptures as its authority and guide in
    all matters pertaining to our belief, faith, and daily walk in life." Article IV, Section 2 of the
    constitution addresses church membership, with corresponding sections pertaining to
    qualifications, duties, and termination. With respect to duties, members "are expected to
    live daily in a Christian manner as explained in the scriptures, to attend teaching and
    worship services regularly and to be good stewards of their time and wealth as God has
    prospered them."      Upon "approval of the Vision Team, church membership can be
    terminated in one of the four" specified methods, including "[b]y erasure or exclusion
    because of grossly immoral and non-Christian conduct." (Article IV, Section 3 of the
    Hillcrest Baptist Constitution.) Article VI, Section 2 of the constitution provides in part
    that the Vision Team "is accountable to the Church body and is totally responsible for the
    administration of the church and the endeavors to fulfill the policies and procedures of the
    scripture and of the church as outlined in the constitution." Article II, Section 2 of the
    bylaws provides: "All Officers, Vision Team members, and Committee members shall be
    active members of Hillcrest Baptist Church in good standing and not novice Christians."
    {¶ 35} Following the vote by the Hillcrest Baptist Vision Team to remove appellant
    from membership, the Vision Team sent a letter to appellant outlining the basis for his
    removal from membership. The reasons listed included: (1) "[p]urposely not telling us of
    past abusive actions so that no restrictions would be on him from working and building
    relationships with kids," (2) "[s]howing little signs of a repentant and broken spirit over
    past actions where kid's lives were hurt and damaged through his abusive actions and
    showing lack of regard to the feelings of those same victims today," and (3) "[n]ot living up
    to the Hillcrest Covenant Agreement to protect the witness and reputation of Christ and
    His church here at Hillcrest." (Wright and Cooper Depos., Ex. 5.)
    {¶ 36} As noted, matters of "[c]hurch discipline, ecclesiastical government, or 'the
    conformity of the members of the church to the standard of morals required of them' is
    beyond the scope of review by a secular tribunal." Howard at 28-29, citing Watson at 28-
    No. 22AP-231                                                                               13
    29. Stated otherwise, "secular courts will not inquire into whether disfellowship or
    expulsion from church membership was in accordance with church by-laws or regulations."
    Id. at 29.
    {¶ 37} Upon review, we find no error with the trial court's determination that, based
    on the allegations presented, it was "unable to adjudicate the presence or absence of
    circumstances so irreconcilable with articles of faith as might necessitate procedural
    deviation from ordinary decision-making per the internal bylaws," nor would it be able,
    under neutral principles of law, to "assess ultimate substantive ecclesiastical questions
    regarding membership and participation." As recognized by the trial court, the instant
    dispute, involving questions as to the propriety of church discipline and the "theological
    weight to be given to particular faith infractions," would necessarily require the review of
    ecclesiastical matters over which the court lacked subject-matter jurisdiction. (Sept. 17,
    2021 Decision at 5.)
    {¶ 38} Accordingly, based on this court's de novo review, the trial court did not err
    in holding it lacked subject-matter jurisdiction over appellant's claims for declaratory
    judgment, breach of contract, and breach of fiduciary duty. Appellant's first assignment of
    error is not well-taken and is overruled.
    {¶ 39} Under his second assignment of error, appellant asserts the trial court erred
    in granting summary judgment in favor of appellees as to his remaining claims for
    defamation, invasion of privacy, breach of confidentiality, negligence, intentional infliction
    of emotional distress, and clergy malpractice.
    {¶ 40} In accordance with the provisions of Civ.R. 56(C), a trial court shall grant
    summary judgment if the filings in the action, including the pleadings and affidavits, "show
    that there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and that the moving party is entitled
    to judgment as a matter of law." Bonacorsi v. Wheeling & Lake Erie Ry. Co., 
    95 Ohio St.3d 314
    , 
    2002-Ohio-2220
    , ¶ 24. This court's review of a trial court's decision on summary
    judgment is "de novo." 
    Id.
    {¶ 41} Appellant first contends he presented the trial court with genuine issues of
    material fact as to his claim for defamation. In support, appellant argues Cooper, a 40-year
    member of Hillcrest Baptist, provided deposition testimony that, during the church
    meeting on August 24, 2017, Pastor Lee related he had spoken with unnamed professionals
    who indicated appellant had an "incurable disease," and that these professionals told him
    No. 22AP-231                                                                                   14
    appellant was "grooming children." (Appellant's Brief at 32.) Appellant maintains these
    statements are false, and that there is no evidence he has an incurable disease.
    {¶ 42} Appellant's amended complaint included claims for defamation, libel,
    slander, and false-light invasion of privacy. Because those claims are interrelated, we will
    consider them together. In general, "[d]efamation, which includes both slander and libel,
    is the publication of a false statement ' "made with some degree of fault, reflecting
    injuriously on a person's reputation, or exposing a person to public hatred, contempt,
    ridicule, shame or disgrace, or affecting a person adversely in his or her trade, business or
    profession." ' " Savoy v. Univ. of Akron, 10th Dist. No. 13AP-696, 
    2014-Ohio-3043
    , ¶ 17,
    quoting Jackson v. Columbus, 
    117 Ohio St.3d 328
    , 
    2008-Ohio-1041
    , ¶ 9, quoting A & B-
    Abell Elevator Co. v. Columbus/Cent. Ohio Bldg. & Constr. Trades Council, 
    73 Ohio St.3d 1
    , 7 (1995). The term " '[s]lander' refers to spoken defamatory words, while 'libel' refers to
    written or printed defamatory words." 
    Id.,
     citing Matikas v. Univ. of Dayton, 
    152 Ohio App.3d 514
    , 
    2003-Ohio-1852
    , ¶ 27 (2d Dist.).
    {¶ 43} In order to "prevail on a defamation claim, whether libel or slander, a plaintiff
    must prove the following elements: (1) a false statement, (2) about the plaintiff, (3) was
    published without privilege to a third party, (4) with fault or at least negligence on the part
    of the defendant, and (5) the statement was either defamatory per se or caused special harm
    to the plaintiff." Id. at ¶ 18, citing Schmidt v. Northcoast Behavioral Healthcare, 10th Dist.
    No. 10AP-565, 
    2011-Ohio-777
    , ¶ 8, citing McPeek v. Leetonia Italian-Am. Club, 
    174 Ohio App.3d 380
    , 
    2007-Ohio-7218
    , ¶ 8 (7th Dist.). Under Ohio law, "[s]ubstantial truth is a
    complete defense to defamation." Dudee v. Philpot, 1st Dist. No. C-180280, 2019-Ohio-
    3939, ¶ 11. Further, "[e]xpressions of opinion are generally protected under Ohio law."
    Byrne v. Univ. Hosps., 8th Dist. No. 95971, 
    2011-Ohio-4110
    , ¶ 12.
    {¶ 44} Although "related, false light and defamation are different causes of action."
    Dudee at ¶ 82. A claim for false-light invasion of privacy occurs when "[o]ne who gives
    publicity to a matter concerning another that places the other before the public in a false
    light is subject to liability to the other for invasion of privacy if (a) the false light in which
    the other was placed would be highly offensive to a reasonable person and (b) the actor had
    knowledge of or acted in reckless disregard as to the falsity of the publicized matter and the
    false light in which the other would be placed." Welling v. Weinfeld, 
    113 Ohio St.3d 464
    ,
    
    2007-Ohio-2451
    , syllabus.
    No. 22AP-231                                                                                15
    {¶ 45} The primary distinction between defamation and false-light is "the
    information at issue must be 'publicized' which is different than 'published.' " Dickinson v.
    Spieldenner, 6th Dist. No. L-16-1041, 
    2017-Ohio-667
    , ¶ 29, quoting Welling at ¶ 52. Stated
    otherwise, "the information is disseminated to 'the public at large, or to so many persons
    that the matter must be substantially certain to become public knowledge.' " 
    Id.,
     quoting
    Welling at ¶ 53. Further, "false-light invasion of privacy defendants are afforded at least as
    much protection as defamation defendants." Id. at ¶ 30. Accordingly, "the defense of
    qualified privilege may apply," and "the same reasons that necessitate the dismissal of a
    defamation claim may support the dismissal of a false-light claim." Id.
    {¶ 46} Under Ohio law, "[t]he elements of qualified privilege are: '[A] defendant
    must establish that (1) he acted in good faith; (2) there was an interest to be upheld; (3) the
    statement was limited in its scope to the purpose of upholding that interest; (4) the occasion
    was proper; and (5) the publication was made in a proper manner and only to proper
    parties.' " Janiszewski v. Belmont Career Ctr., 7th Dist. No. 16 BE 0009, 
    2017-Ohio-855
    ,
    ¶ 85, quoting Mosley v. Evans, 
    90 Ohio App.3d 633
    , 636 (11th Dist.1993). Further, "[a]
    qualified privilege may be defeated only by clear and convincing evidence of actual malice
    on the part of the defendant." Id. at ¶ 86, citing Jacobs v. Frank, 
    60 Ohio St.3d 111
    , 114-15
    (1991).
    {¶ 47} In McCartney v. Oblates of St. Francis deSales, 
    80 Ohio App.3d 345
    , 354-55
    (6th Dist.1992), the court discussed, in the context of a defamation action, the defense of
    qualified privilege, holding in relevant part:
    Even in cases where a plaintiff has established a prima facie
    case of defamation, a defendant may invoke the defense of
    qualified privilege. Hahn v. Kotten (1975), 
    43 Ohio St.2d 237
    ,
    243 * * *. A publication is privileged when it is " 'fairly made by
    a person in the discharge of some public or private duty,
    whether legal or moral, or in the conduct of his own affairs, in
    matters where his interest is concerned.' " As stated by the
    Hahn court, a publication is:
    "* * * conditionally or qualified privileged where circumstances
    exist, or are reasonably believed by the defendant to exist,
    which cast on him the duty of making a communication to a
    certain other person to whom he makes such communication
    in the performance of such duty, or where the person is so
    situated that it becomes right in the interests of society that he
    should tell third persons certain facts, which he in good faith
    No. 22AP-231                                                                             16
    proceeds to do. This general idea has been otherwise expressed
    as follows: A communication made in good faith on any subject
    matter in which the person communicating has an interest, or
    in reference to which he has a duty, is privileged if made to a
    person having a corresponding interest or duty, even though it
    contains matter which, without this privilege, would be
    actionable, and although the duty is not a legal one, but only a
    moral or social duty of imperfect obligation. The essential
    elements of a conditionally privileged communication may
    accordingly be enumerated as good faith, an interest to be
    upheld, a statement limited in its scope to this purpose, a
    proper occasion, and publication in a proper manner and to
    proper parties only. The privilege arises from the necessity of
    full and unrestricted communication concerning a matter in
    which the parties have an interest or duty, and is not restricted
    within any narrow limits."
    (Citations omitted.)
    {¶ 48} In the present case, the relevant and largely undisputed facts as set forth in
    the trial court's summary judgment decision (and outlined above) indicate appellant and
    Pastor Lee held a private conference on August 21, 2017, at which time Pastor Lee
    questioned appellant about " 'a past encounter that occurred with another Hillcrest Baptist
    Church congregant over thirty years ago.' " The church attendee, "now an adult, had
    recently recognized [appellant] as the man that sexually molested him when he was fifteen
    years old." (Apr. 4, 2022 Decision at 3.) Appellant "admitted in discovery to a pattern of
    sexually abusing young boys," and he "admitted having previously molested the then-teen"
    congregant. Appellant also acknowledged in his deposition that this congregant was not
    "the only minor" he had touched inappropriately. (Apr. 4, 2022 Decision at 4.) Despite
    acknowledging his conduct with "minors while they slept," appellant "took exception to
    characterizing that conduct as molestation." (Apr. 4, 2022 Decision at 5.)
    {¶ 49} After confronting appellant as to this history, "Pastor Lee held an emergency
    meeting at the Church to discuss [appellant's] admitted history of sexual abuse." Pastor
    Lee informed members of the congregation "that he'd consulted with professionals at
    Netcare, who opined in turn that [appellant] had an incurable disease, and that his conduct
    at the Church amounted to grooming children." (Apr. 4, 2022 Decision at 5.)
    {¶ 50} The trial court found, even assuming appellant could demonstrate the
    statements at issue were defamatory, they were made pursuant to a qualified privilege. In
    No. 22AP-231                                                                                              17
    finding that appellees were protected by a qualified privilege, the trial court noted the
    summary judgment evidence indicated that "Pastor Lee, as the leader of his congregation,
    brought [appellant's] admissions to Church Leadership and the parents of children who
    had interactions with [appellant]." The trial court held in part: "Clearly, Pastor Lee had a
    duty to make this disclosure in order to protect the members of his congregation. This is
    especially true given the fact that the individual who recognized [appellant] was concerned
    that [appellant] was engaging in the same grooming behaviors with the children of the
    congregation that he had experienced when he was a teenager." The trial court further
    found "Pastor Lee did not share [appellant's] prior misconduct of abusing children beyond
    those who had a legitimate interest in knowing." Finally, the trial court addressed the issue
    of malice, finding "there is no record evidence that Pastor Lee's statements were made with
    either knowledge that the statements were false or reckless disregard as to their truth or
    falsity." (Apr. 4, 2022 Decision at 10.)
    {¶ 51} Ohio courts have considered the issue of a qualified privilege defense to a
    defamation claim in instances where parties share a common interest in the well-being of
    minors. See McCartney at 356 (qualified privilege existed as a matter of law with respect
    to school principal's statements to parents of students who had been interacting with the
    plaintiff-teacher that the plaintiff had been convicted of "corrupting a minor" because, "[a]s
    a matter of public policy, educators and parents share a common interest in the training,
    morality and well-being of the children in their care" and, as a result of this shared interest,
    a relationship exists "in which a right, and in many instances a duty, to communicate
    information * * * arises"). Ohio courts have also recognized the existence of a qualified
    privilege as to "church interests." See Mosley at 637 (church deacons entitled to defense of
    qualified privilege regarding letter distributed to church congregation concerning "various
    church interests" and expressing deacons' belief that reverend's health problems prevented
    him from performing his duties effectively); Austin v. Peterson, 9th Dist. No. 2735-M
    (Jan. 13, 1999), citing Baker v. Spinning Rd. Baptist Church, Inc., 2d Dist. No. 17052
    (Sept. 11, 1988) ("church members have an interest in the actions taken by a board
    concerning an employee of the church").1
    1 Restatement of the Law, Torts, § 596, comment d, states in part: "The common interest of members of
    religious, fraternal, charitable or other non-profit associations, whether incorporated or unincorporated, is
    recognized as sufficient to support a privilege for communications among themselves concerning the
    No. 22AP-231                                                                                                  18
    {¶ 52} Courts in other jurisdictions "have recognized a qualified privilege for
    communications made in the context of church discipline." Marks v. Estate of Hartgerink,
    
    528 N.W.2d 539
    , 546 (Iowa 1995) (holding it "appropriate to apply a qualified privilege to
    statements made in the context of a church disciplinary proceeding"); Cargill v. Greater
    Salem Baptist Church, 
    215 S.W.3d 63
    , 68 (Ky.App.2006) (applying qualified privilege to
    alleged defamatory statements made by church disciplinary committee "in the course of a
    church disciplinary matter"); Dillavou v. Schaffner, Minn. App. No. C7-94-362 (July 19,
    1994) (even if statements were defamatory, qualified privilege covered statements made by
    members of church to fellow members at church meetings regarding parishioner's
    expulsion from church as such statements pertained to "matters of legitimate common
    interest to the church congregation" and therefore defendants "had a qualified privilege to
    publish them among themselves").
    {¶ 53} It is well-settled that "[t]he purpose of a qualified privilege is to protect
    speakers in circumstances where there is a need for full and unrestricted communication
    concerning a matter in which the parties have an interest or duty." Austin. Stated
    otherwise, "whether the interest to be upheld is sufficient depends on whether the speaker
    and the listener possess a common interest in the communication." 
    Id.
     Further, "[w]here
    the circumstances of the occasion for the alleged defamatory communication are not in
    dispute, the determination of whether there is a qualified privilege is a question of law for
    the trial court." McCartney at 355.
    {¶ 54} Upon review, we find no error with the trial court's determination that
    "Pastor Lee had a duty to make this disclosure in order to protect the members of his
    congregation" (i.e., that the statements at issue were protected as communications in which
    the speaker had an interest in the subject matter and a duty to convey to the recipients
    sharing a common interest in the communications). (Apr. 4, 2022 Decision at 10.) See,
    e.g., Terry v. Davis Community Church, 
    131 Cal.App.4th 1534
    , 1547 (2005) (qualified
    privilege attached to allegedly defamatory statements regarding child molestation during
    investigation prompted by parents of a church youth group where statements occurred in
    context of ongoing discussion about protection of children at church).
    qualifications of the officers and members and their participation in the activities of the society. This is true
    whether the defamatory matter relates to alleged misconduct of some other member which makes him
    undesirable for continued membership, or the conduct of a prospective member."
    No. 22AP-231                                                                                19
    {¶ 55} The undisputed facts indicate that appellant, who was involved in youth
    ministry at the church and was required to undergo a background check to serve in that
    ministry, had not disclosed past conduct until confronted by Pastor Lee (and only after a
    current congregant revealed a past incident of abuse). The alleged defamatory statements
    were made in the context of church proceedings involving the church's Vision Team and
    parents of teens who may have had interactions with appellant. During the meeting, Pastor
    Lee informed "the parents of [appellant's] past actions so that we could see if there was any
    abuse that had taken place with kids of our community." (Lee Depo. at 40.) According to
    Pastor Lee, "[o]nce I learned of his past actions, I was concerned that it could have
    happened." (Lee Depo. at 41.) Here, the summary judgment evidence fails to demonstrate
    a genuine issue of material fact as to whether the statements at issue were made in good
    faith, with a legitimate church interest to be upheld, limited in scope and made in a proper
    manner to the proper parties. Based on this court's de novo review, we agree with the trial
    court that, as a matter of law, the alleged defamatory statements, involving
    communications between appellees and members of the congregation sharing a common
    interest, were protected by a qualified privilege.
    {¶ 56} Further, we agree with the trial court that the evidence on summary judgment
    did not create a genuine issue of material fact as to whether appellees acted with malice.
    Under Ohio law, where a defendant has a qualified privilege regarding statements, "that
    privilege can be defeated only by a clear and convincing showing that the communication
    was made with actual malice." Byvank v. Fidelity Orthopedic, Inc., 2d Dist. No. 17465
    (May 28, 1999). In such a "qualified privilege case, 'actual malice' is defined as acting with
    knowledge that the statements are false or acting with reckless disregard to their truth or
    falsity." 
    Id.
    {¶ 57} However, "[i]t is not enough to prove the falsity of the statement, but a
    plaintiff 'must prove with convincing clarity that defendant was aware of the high
    probability of falsity.' " 
    Id.
     Thus, "[t]o establish that the statements were made with
    'reckless disregard,' sufficient evidence must be presented by the plaintiff to lead a court to
    find that the defendant had 'serious doubts' as to the truth of the publication." 
    Id.
     In this
    respect, "[a] court is likely to find reckless disregard 'where a story is fabricated by the
    defendant, is the product of his imagination, or is based wholly on an unverified anonymous
    telephone call.' " 
    Id.,
     quoting St. Amant v. 
    Thompson, 390
     U.S. 727, 732 (1968). Further,
    No. 22AP-231                                                                                   20
    "the Ohio Supreme Court has held that failure to investigate the truth of the communication
    is not of itself enough to refute the qualified privilege defense, as 'mere negligence is not
    enough to establish actual malice.' " 
    Id.,
     quoting Dale v. Ohio Civ. Serv. Emp. Assn., 
    57 Ohio St.3d 112
    , 118 (1991).
    {¶ 58} As previously discussed, the statements at issue were motivated by a "church
    interest," i.e., involving an underlying church discipline matter, as well as an interest in
    protecting minors. Further, the statements at issue had a "factual foundation" based on
    appellant's own admissions as to his past activity. See Mosley at 638 (no malice where
    church deacons "did have a factual foundation for their opinion concerning the effect of
    [the pastor's] health on his performance").
    {¶ 59} Accordingly, as there are no genuine issues of material fact that the
    statements at issue are entitled to a qualified privilege, we find no error with the trial court's
    determination that appellees are entitled to judgment as a matter of law on appellant's
    claims of defamation, slander, libel, and false-light invasion of privacy.
    {¶ 60} Appellant further contends the trial court erred in failing to find genuine
    issues of material fact as to his claims for invasion of privacy. Appellant acknowledges the
    record on summary judgment indicates he disclosed his conduct to members of the church
    before the congregational meeting on August 24, 2017, but maintains he only told members
    of the church about his past after Pastor Lee told him he would be informing members of
    the congregation what he had learned. According to appellant, he "only reached out to
    members of the church after this exchange with [Pastor] Lee, as he wanted the opportunity
    to defend himself." (Appellant's Brief at 40.)
    {¶ 61} In order to establish a claim for invasion of privacy through publicity, a
    plaintiff must prove the following elements: "(1) communication of the matter to the public
    at large or to so many persons that the matter is substantially certain to become one of
    public knowledge, (2) disclosure of facts concerning the individual's private life, (3) the
    matter publicized must be highly offensive and objectionable to a reasonable person of
    ordinary sensibilities, (4) the communication must be intentional, not negligent, and
    (5) the matter publicized is not of legitimate concern to the public." Dautartas v. Abbott
    Labs., 10th Dist. No. 11AP-706, 
    2012-Ohio-1709
    , ¶ 65, citing Killilea v. Sears, Roebuck &
    Co., 
    27 Ohio App.3d 163
    , 166-67 (10th Dist.1985).
    No. 22AP-231                                                                                21
    {¶ 62} Construing the allegations most strongly in favor of the non-moving party,
    we find no genuine issue of material fact as to appellant's claim for invasion of privacy. As
    previously discussed, the matter communicated arose out of an internal church
    investigation of an accusation involving appellant, who at the time was serving in the
    church's youth ministry. Significantly, the allegations of appellant's past sexual conduct
    were not unsubstantiated but rather by appellant's own admission, confirmed.               The
    subsequent congregational meeting, restricted to members of the Vision Team and parents
    of youth, involved a discussion of that past conduct in the context of determining whether
    church youth were at risk. We conclude, as a matter of law, the comments were of
    legitimate concern to the members of the congregation. See, e.g., Bertsch v.
    Communications Workers of Am., Local 4302, 
    101 Ohio App.3d 186
    , 193 (9th Dist.1995)
    (comments regarding the plaintiff's job performance, although "not matters of general
    public concern," were "matters of legitimate concern to the members of the union" and were
    made to members in the context of a labor dispute and, as such, did not support an action
    of invasion of privacy); Terry at 1457 ("issue as to whether or not an adult who interacts
    with minors in a church youth program has engaged in an inappropriate relationship with
    any of the minors is clearly a matter of public interest" based on society's interest in
    protecting minors, "particularly in places such as church programs that are supposed to be
    safe").
    {¶ 63} Appellant next contends genuine issues of material fact remain as to his claim
    for breach of confidentiality. In support, appellant cites to Biddle v. Warren Gen. Hosp.,
    
    86 Ohio St.3d 395
     (1999), paragraph one of the syllabus, in which the Supreme Court of
    Ohio held that "an independent tort exists for the unauthorized, unprivileged disclosure to
    a third party of nonpublic medical information that a physician or hospital has learned
    within a physician-patient relationship." Appellant points to the deposition testimony of
    congregant Cooper who testified that "if he ever had a meeting with his pastor in which he
    confessed a past sin, he would expect confidentiality." (Appellant's Brief at 42.)
    {¶ 64} While appellant appears to equate the conduct at issue to a clergy's
    obligations to maintain the confidentiality of a penitent's confession, the facts on summary
    judgment do not support such a characterization. Specifically, the undisputed facts do not
    No. 22AP-231                                                                                             22
    indicate that appellant sought out Pastor Lee for counseling or to confess a past sin;2 rather,
    Pastor Lee, after learning of the past conduct of appellant from a current congregant, sought
    out appellant to inquire about the truth of those allegations. As noted by appellees, the
    summary judgment evidence does not suggest appellant was seeking spiritual consultation,
    nor did Pastor Lee provide testimony as to a confession or confidential communication
    made for religious counseling. See, e.g., McFarland v. W. Congregation of Jehovah's
    Witnesses, Lorain, Ohio, Inc., 9th Dist. No. 15CA010740, 
    2016-Ohio-5462
    , ¶ 13, quoting
    Trammel v. United States, 
    445 U.S. 40
    , 51 (1980) (noting the clergy-penitent privilege
    " 'recognizes the human need to disclose to a spiritual counselor, in total and absolute
    confidence, what are believed to be flawed acts or thoughts and to receive [spiritual]
    consolation and guidance in return' "). Accordingly, the trial court did not err in granting
    summary judgment in favor of appellees as to appellant's claim for breach of confidentiality.
    {¶ 65} Appellant also contends genuine issues of material fact remain as to his claim
    for negligence. We disagree. Appellant relies again on his contention the facts implicate
    the cleric-penitent privilege (i.e., concerning the confidentiality of a confession), an issue
    we have addressed and rejected above. Upon review, we agree with appellees that appellant
    has failed to identify a duty to maintain confidentiality under the facts of this case that
    would support his claim for negligence. As also noted by appellees, the mandatory
    reporting obligations of R.C. 2151.421, in fact, impose a requirement on members of the
    clergy to report suspected child abuse (as illustrated in this case through the deposition
    testimony of Pastor Lee who stated that, upon contacting a health services agency
    (Netcare), he was informed of a mandatory reporting requirement based on the
    information he had received). See, e.g., Carovac v. Lake Cty. Bd. of Dev.
    Disabilities/Deepwood, N.D.Ohio No. 1:19 CV 2344 (Sept. 9 2020) (alleged defamatory
    statement "protected by the mandatory reporting statutes" and entitled to qualified
    privilege); Johnson v. Aultman Hosp., 5th Dist. No. 2017 CA 00145, 
    2018-Ohio-1268
    , ¶ 45
    (based on "mandatory reporting requirement," the appellees had "qualified privilege" to
    report the appellant's termination).
    2 As found by the trial court, the record evidence indicates that appellant "took exception to characterizing
    [his] conduct as molestation" or even as immoral. (Apr. 4, 2022 Decision at 5.) In response to an inquiry
    whether he knew touching minors in the groin area "was wrong," appellant responded: "Did not consider it
    wrong, no." (Tharp Depo. at 27.)
    No. 22AP-231                                                                                 23
    {¶ 66} Appellant next asserts he presented the trial court with operative facts which
    would allow an inference that appellees intentionally inflicted emotional distress upon him.
    Appellant maintains that statements during the congregational meeting regarding an
    incurable disease, based on unnamed professionals who had never interacted with him,
    were meant to humiliate and embarrass him.
    {¶ 67} In order to recover for a claim for intentional infliction of emotional distress,
    a plaintiff is required "to show that (1) defendant intended to cause emotional distress, or
    knew or should have known that actions taken would result in serious emotional distress;
    (2) defendant's conduct was extreme and outrageous; (3) defendant's actions proximately
    caused plaintiff's psychic injury; and (4) the mental anguish plaintiff suffered was serious."
    Hanly v. Riverside Methodist Hosp., 
    78 Ohio App.3d 73
    , 82 (10th Dist.1991), citing Pyle v.
    Pyle, 
    11 Ohio App.3d 31
    , 34 (8th Dist.1983).
    {¶ 68} Liability as to a claim for intentional infliction of emotional distress " ' "does
    not extend to mere insults, indignities, threats, annoyances, petty oppressions, or other
    trivialities." ' " Moore v. Impact Community Action, 10th Dist. No. 12AP-1030, 2013-Ohio-
    3215, ¶ 15, quoting Mowery v. Columbus, 10th Dist. No. 05AP-266, 
    2006-Ohio-1153
    , ¶ 49,
    quoting Yeager v. Local Union 20, Teamsters, Chauffeurs, Warehousemen & Helpers of
    Am., 
    6 Ohio St.3d 369
    , 375 (1983). Instead, "liability is found only where the conduct is 'so
    outrageous in character, and so extreme in degree, as to go beyond all possible bounds of
    decency, and to be regarded as atrocious, and utterly intolerable in a civilized community.
    Generally, the case is one in which the recitation of the facts to an average member of the
    community would arouse his resentment against the actor, and lead him to exclaim,
    "Outrageous!" ' " 
    Id.,
     quoting Yeager, quoting Restatement of the Law 2d, Torts, Section
    46(1) (1965) .
    {¶ 69} As indicated, appellant contends he suffered emotional distress as a result of
    Pastor Lee informing the congregation he had an incurable disease when the only support
    for this contention was the "supposed unnamed 'professionals' who had never seen or
    interacted with [appellant]." (Appellant's Brief at 47.)
    {¶ 70} The record on summary judgment fails to create a genuine issue of material
    fact that the conduct at issue, arising out of an internal church investigation, rose to the
    level of extreme and outrageous behavior necessary to support a claim for intentional
    infliction of emotional distress, nor does the record present a genuine issue of material fact
    No. 22AP-231                                                                                   24
    as to whether appellees' intent, based on concerns pertaining to the protection of minors,
    was to cause appellant emotional distress. Further, we have previously determined, as did
    the trial court, that the communications at issue were protected by a qualified privilege.
    See, e.g., Smith v. Ameriflora, 1992, Inc., 
    96 Ohio App.3d 179
    , 189 (10th Dist.1994) ("Ohio
    courts have recognized that the qualified privilege defense is applicable to actions for
    intentional infliction of emotional distress."); Gintert v. WCI Steel, Inc., 11th Dist. No.
    2002-T-0124, 
    2007-Ohio-6737
     ("When a privilege, qualified or absolute, attaches to
    statements made in a defamation action, those statements remain privileged for the
    purpose of derivative claims such as intentional infliction of emotional distress and tortious
    interference with a business relationship.").
    {¶ 71} Appellant also contends the trial court erred in granting summary judgment
    as to a claim of clergy malpractice. We disagree.
    {¶ 72} Clergy malpractice has been defined as "the failure to exercise the degree of
    care and skill normally exercised by members of the clergy in carrying out their professional
    duties." Stewart v. W. Ohio Conf. of the United Methodist Church, 10th Dist. No. 02AP-
    974, 
    2003-Ohio-3885
    , ¶ 37, citing Byrd v. Faber, 
    57 Ohio St.3d 56
    , 57 (1991). The Supreme
    Court has held that "in order to generate a cause of action for clergy malpractice, the cleric's
    behavior must 'fall outside the scope of other recognized torts.' " 
    Id.,
     quoting Strock v.
    Pressnell, 
    38 Ohio St.3d 207
    , 212 (1988). Accordingly, if a "cleric's behavior fits within an
    established category of liability, * * * it would be redundant to simultaneously hold the cleric
    liable for clergy malpractice." 
    Id.
    {¶ 73} In the present case, appellant brought claims for ordinary negligence, breach
    of confidentiality and breach of fiduciary duties, and his claim for clergy malpractice does
    not implicate behavior beyond the scope of those claims. Stewart at ¶ 38 (appellant has
    failed to allege activity "for which recovery in tort is not available," and therefore "[t]o allow
    recovery for clergy malpractice on the basis of this same conduct would be to grant a
    redundant remedy"). See also Alexander v. Culp, 
    124 Ohio App.3d 13
    , 19 (8th Dist.1997)
    ("A cause of action for clergy malpractice is not available when other torts provide a
    remedy.").
    {¶ 74} Based on this court's de novo review of the record, the trial court did not err
    in granting summary judgment in favor of appellees on appellant's claims for defamation,
    libel, slander, invasion of privacy, false-light invasion of privacy, breach of confidentiality,
    No. 22AP-231                                                                              25
    negligence, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and clergy malpractice.
    Accordingly, appellant's second assignment of error is not well-taken and is overruled.
    {¶ 75} Based on the foregoing, appellant's two assignments of error are overruled,
    and the judgment of the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas is hereby affirmed.
    Judgment affirmed.
    DORRIAN and MENTEL, JJ., concur.
    _______________