Davina Kelly v. Church of God in Christ, Inc. ( 2011 )

COURT OF APPEALS
SECOND DISTRICT OF TEXAS
FORT WORTH
NO. 02-10-00047-CV
DAVINA KELLY APPELLANT
V.
CHURCH OF GOD IN APPELLEE
CHRIST, INC.
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FROM THE 236TH DISTRICT COURT OF TARRANT COUNTY
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MEMORANDUM OPINION1
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This is an appeal from a summary judgment for the Church of God in
Christ, Inc. (COGIC) in this suit arising from a pastor‘s alleged acts toward a
parishioner. In two issues, Davina Kelly, the former parishioner, contends that
the trial court erred by granting both no-evidence and traditional summary
judgments for COGIC. We affirm.
1
See Tex. R. App. 47.4.
Background Facts
Kelly sued COGIC for (1) negligence, (2) negligent hiring, supervision,
retention, and training, (3) intentional infliction of emotional distress, and
(4) respondeat superior for the alleged acts of Sherman Allen, pastor of Shiloh
Institutional Church of God in Christ.2 Kelly‘s Sixth Amended Petition alleged that
around 1990, a group of female parishioners complained to a bishop of Texas
Northeast Church of God in Christ, Inc. that Allen had been paddling them ―in
various stages of undress‖ and that COGIC took no action as a result of this
complaint. Kelly further alleged that around 2001, Allen ―engaged in a pattern of
egregious physical and sexual abuse against‖ her when she sought ―spiritual
counseling‖ from him. According to Kelly‘s petition, these acts occurred both at
the church and in the parsonage, and Allen instituted them ―under the guise of
pastoral counseling.‖
Kelly said that she wrote a letter to COGIC ―specifically outlining this
pattern of abuse‖ and that ―COGIC pursuant to [its] own policy and procedures
appointed two Bishops to lead an investigation into these allegations.‖ However,
Kelly contended that COGIC took no further action until she filed suit, at which
time COGIC purported to suspend Allen.
COGIC filed both no-evidence and traditional motions for summary
judgment. The no-evidence motion challenged Kelly‘s lack of evidence as to
2
Kelly also sued Allen and Shiloh, but she dismissed both parties after
settling with them. Shiloh is now known as Shiloh Church.
2
(1) duty, breach, and causation for the negligence causes of action, (2) the
intentional or reckless, extreme and outrageous conduct, and directed-toward-
the-plaintiff elements of intentional infliction of emotional distress, and (3) the
employee acting within the course and scope of employment elements of
respondeat superior. The traditional summary judgment raised First Amendment
grounds as a bar to Kelly‘s negligent selection, hiring, and retention claims and
pastor or church malpractice (negligence) claims; COGIC also argued that Allen
was not an employee of COGIC as a matter of law. The trial court granted both
of COGIC‘s motions and rendered a take nothing judgment.
No-Evidence Summary Judgment Standard of Review
After an adequate time for discovery, the party without the burden of proof
may, without presenting evidence, move for summary judgment on the ground
that there is no evidence to support an essential element of the nonmovant=s
claim or defense. Tex. R. Civ. P. 166a(i). The motion must specifically state the
elements for which there is no evidence. Id.; Timpte Indus., Inc. v. Gish, 286
S.W.3d 306, 310 (Tex. 2009). The trial court must grant the motion unless the
nonmovant produces summary judgment evidence that raises a genuine issue of
material fact. See Tex. R. Civ. P. 166a(i) & cmt.; Hamilton v. Wilson, 249 S.W.3d
425, 426 (Tex. 2008).
When reviewing a no-evidence summary judgment, we examine the entire
record in the light most favorable to the nonmovant, indulging every reasonable
inference and resolving any doubts against the motion. Sudan v. Sudan, 199
3
S.W.3d 291, 292 (Tex. 2006). We review a no-evidence summary judgment for
evidence that would enable reasonable and fair-minded jurors to differ in their
conclusions. Hamilton, 249 S.W.3d at 426 (citing City of Keller v. Wilson, 168
S.W.3d 802, 822 (Tex. 2005)). We credit evidence favorable to the nonmovant if
reasonable jurors could, and we disregard evidence contrary to the nonmovant
unless reasonable jurors could not. Timpte Indus., Inc., 286 S.W.3d at 310
(quoting Mack Trucks, Inc. v. Tamez, 206 S.W.3d 572, 582 (Tex. 2006)). If the
nonmovant brings forward more than a scintilla of probative evidence that raises
a genuine issue of material fact, then a no-evidence summary judgment is not
proper. Smith v. O=Donnell, 288 S.W.3d 417, 424 (Tex. 2009).
Traditional Summary Judgment Standard of Review
We review a summary judgment de novo. Mann Frankfort Stein & Lipp
Advisors, Inc. v. Fielding, 289 S.W.3d 844, 848 (Tex. 2009). We consider the
evidence presented in the light most favorable to the nonmovant, crediting
evidence favorable to the nonmovant if reasonable jurors could, and disregarding
evidence contrary to the nonmovant unless reasonable jurors could not. Id. We
indulge every reasonable inference and resolve any doubts in the nonmovant=s
favor. 20801, Inc. v. Parker, 249 S.W.3d 392, 399 (Tex. 2008). A defendant who
conclusively negates at least one essential element of a cause of action is
entitled to summary judgment on that claim. IHS Cedars Treatment Ctr. of
DeSoto, Tex., Inc. v. Mason, 143 S.W.3d 794, 798 (Tex. 2004); see Tex. R. Civ.
P. 166a(b), (c).
4
Analysis
Respondeat Superior3
In its traditional motion, COGIC argued that as a matter of law, Allen was
not an employee of COGIC because it did not have the right to ―control the
progress, details, and methods of operations of‖ his work.
Applicable Law
Under the doctrine of respondeat superior, an employer is vicariously liable
for the negligence of an employee acting within the scope of his employment
although the employer has not personally committed a wrong. St. Joseph Hosp.
v. Wolff, 94 S.W.3d 513, 541–42 (Tex. 2002); Farlow v. Harris Methodist Fort
Worth Hosp., 284 S.W.3d 903, 910 (Tex. App.––Fort Worth 2009, pet. denied).
The right of control is the ―supreme test‖ for whether a master-servant
relationship, rather than an independent contractor relationship, exists. Wolff, 94
S.W.3d at 542; Farlow, 284 S.W.3d at 911. An agent is considered an employee
only if the principal has both (1) the right to assign the agent‘s tasks and (2) the
right to control the means and details by which the agent will accomplish those
tasks. Heritage Housing Dev., Inc. v. Carr, 199 S.W.3d 560, 565–66 (Tex.
App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2006, no pet.); Hanna v. Vastar Res., 84 S.W.3d 372,
3
Although we typically review a no-evidence summary judgment first when
both a traditional and no-evidence summary judgment are granted, we will review
one of the grounds of the traditional motion first because some of the same
evidence presented by Kelly is pertinent to the no-evidence issues. See
Reynolds v. Murphy, 188 S.W.3d 252, 258 (Tex. App.––Fort Worth 2006, pet.
denied) (op. on reh‘g), cert. denied, 549 U.S. 1281 (2007).
5
376 (Tex. App.––Beaumont 2002, no pet); see Limestone Prods. Distrib., Inc. v.
McNamara, 71 S.W.3d 308, 312 (Tex. 2002).
We measure the right to control by considering (1) the independent nature
of the worker‘s business, (2) the worker‘s obligation to furnish necessary tools,
supplies, and materials to perform the job, (3) the worker‘s right to control the
progress of the work except about final results, (4) the time for which the worker
is employed, and (5) the method of payment, whether by unit of time or by the
job. Limestone Prods., 71 S.W.3d at 312; Farlow, 284 S.W.3d at 911. Examples
of the type of control normally exercised by an employer include when and where
to begin and stop work, the regularity of hours, the amount of time spent on
particular aspects of the work, the tools and appliances used to perform the work,
and the physical method or manner of accomplishing the end result. Thompson
v. Travelers Indem. Co. of R.I., 789 S.W.2d 277, 278–79 (Tex. 1990).
The right to control must relate to the conduct complained of. See
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. v. Mayes, 236 S.W.3d 754, 757 (Tex. 2007);
Farlow, 284 S.W.3d at 912; Williams v. United Pentecostal Church Int’l, 115
S.W.3d 612, 618 (Tex. App.––Beaumont 2003, no pet.). Additionally, the right to
terminate an agreement engaging the services of a worker is not evidence that
details of the work are subject to the principal‘s control. Bell v. VPSI, Inc., 205
S.W.3d 706, 714 (Tex. App.––Fort Worth 2006, no pet.).
6
Whether a person is an employee is generally a question of law. Dow
Chem. Co. v. Bright, 89 S.W.3d 602, 606 (Tex. 2002); Farlow, 284 S.W.3d at
913.
COGIC’s Evidence
Here, COGIC presented summary judgment evidence that although Shiloh
was at one time affiliated with COGIC, the proper paperwork was never
completed; therefore, Shiloh had always been independent. Likewise, Allen was
not ordained, nor was he selected as a prophet by COGIC. It is undisputed that
Allen has continued to pastor Shiloh until the time of submission of this appeal.
COGIC also presented the testimony of Bishop Neaul Haynes 4 that
although he appointed pastors to COGIC churches and the pastors were
responsible for financial reporting to the bishops, he did not supervise the
pastors, and they were on their own. The COGIC Official Manual, also attached
to COGIC‘s motion for summary judgment, states that a pastor is responsible for
the spiritual and doctrinal guidance of the local church, has a right to appoint or
remove local church officers, and has the right to administer his office in
accordance with COGIC‘s charter, bylaws, and constitution.
We conclude and hold that COGIC presented evidence that Allen was not
an ―employee‖ of COGIC as a matter of law. We therefore look to Kelly‘s
4
Because many of the pastors and COGIC officials referred to in the
evidence are often referred to by different titles, we will refer to those pastors and
officials solely by their last names to prevent confusion.
7
responsive evidence to determine if she raised a fact issue sufficient to defeat
COGIC‘s summary judgment motion.
Kelly’s Evidence
Kelly‘s Sixth Amended Petition states that COGIC ―allowed . . . Allen to be
[p]astor of Shiloh, administer pastoral counseling to members of Shiloh, attend
COGIC seminars and conferences as a speaker[,] and generally controlled the
duties, position and whereabouts of . . . Allen.‖ In her brief, Kelly states that ―the
physical and sexual abuse [she] endured occurred in the church or on church
property during Allen‘s counseling. . . . Indeed the paddling was clearly
‗connected with‘ and grew out of the ‗counseling‘ administered by Allen as pastor
of the church.‖ Kelly asserts this shows that Allen used ―COGIC‘s reputation,
assets[,] and property‖ in commission of the alleged acts.
Kelly attached to her response to COGIC‘s motion a copy of COGIC‘s
―Official Manual with the Doctrines and Discipline of the Church of God in Christ
1973.‖ The manual provides that the General Assembly ―has power to express
doctrines and creeds of the Church, and its decisions shall be binding on all
members of‖ COGIC. It also provides that a Jurisdictional Bishop of a
Jurisdictional Assembly within the General Assembly shall appoint the pastor of a
local church but that a local church may ―establish its own constitution and by-
laws, provided the same shall not be in conflict with or repugnant to the Charter,
Constitution, Laws and Doctrines‖ of COGIC. Further, the manual states that a
Jurisdictional Bishop has ―general supervision over all departments and
8
Churches in his jurisdiction.‖ The Elders Council of a Jurisdictional Assembly
may suspend or remove a pastor found guilty of (1) failure to abide by COGIC‘s
rules and regulations, (2) misfeasance, malfeasance, or nonfeasance in office,
(3) being convicted of a felony or misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, (4)
espousing doctrines repugnant to COGIC‘s articles of faith, (5) personal
misconduct, (6) misappropriation or misuse of funds, or (7) conduct unbecoming
to a minister.
Kelly also attached COGIC‘s Sexual Misconduct Policy, which provides
that any allegations involving a local church or pastor be reported at the
jurisdictional level. The policy prohibits ―employees, agents[,] or representatives‖
of COGIC from engaging in sexual harassment or misconduct. It further makes
local church pastors ―responsible for the implementation and enforcement‖ of the
policy and for ―maintaining a working worship environment, free from sexual
misconduct of any kind.‖
In 2007, COGIC either ordered Haynes to suspend Allen, or Haynes asked
for COGIC‘s permission to suspend Allen after being advised by counsel of the
results of a COGIC investigation into Kelly‘s complaint. Regardless, in June
2007, Haynes sent Allen a letter stating,
Due to the allegations of sexual misconduct, the Presiding Bishop
and General Board have been advised by the General Counsel of
the Church of God in Christ, to authorize me to give the following
ruling to you:
I therefore advise you that this letter serves as official notification of
suspension, with pay, of your pastoral duties and responsibilities at
9
the Shiloh Institutional Church of God in Christ, Fort Worth, Texas
and as Vice-President of the National Evangelist Department. This
suspension is effective immediately and will continue indefinitely
pending the outcome of the civil investigation.
This edict is made under the authority of the General Board‘s
Resolution to the General Assembly, voted on and approved in the
November, 2002 session. It reads as follows:
―The Presiding Bishop and General Board will have the
authority to suspend any officer, elected or appointed,
including, but not limited to, Bishops, Supervisors,
Pastors, Elders, Ministers, Missionaries, Evangelists or
Deacons, pending the outcome of any allegations of
misconduct which ha[ve] the potential to substantially
impact the National Church financially, morally and
spiritually. The Presiding Bishop, with the approval of
the General Board, shall have authority to delegate this
authority to the Jurisdictional Bishop where the
misconduct occurred.‖
Even though he purported to suspend Allen from his pastoral duties in the
letter, Haynes stated in his deposition that he did not relieve Allen of his ―duties
at the pulpit‖ and told Allen he could continue preaching because Haynes did not
have anyone else to preach at the church. However, Haynes explained that
Allen was no longer able to participate in national business of the church and in
his position as an assistant officer.5
When asked if Shiloh was still a part of COGIC in 2007, Haynes replied,
For all practical purposes, their participation in the church activities
had been continued from the time that he asked and I said okay. He
had been a member of the church, had been a member of the Fort
Worth district under J.L. Johnson all that time. That‘s how he came
5
At some point, Allen held a national position with COGIC as assistant to
the evangelist department president.
10
about becoming an officer. So he was considered a member even
though he had not been granted the certificate of membership.
When asked whether Shiloh and Allen were ―under the authority of‖ COGIC from
1992 to 2007, Bishop Haynes answered, ―Yes.‖
Kelly‘s evidence shows that Allen was the pastor for several years before
Shiloh began ―fellowshipping‖ with COGIC, which means that although Shiloh
was allowed to use the name ―Church of God in Christ‖ and Allen participated in
ecclesiastical activities of COGIC, Shiloh never applied for nor was registered as
a member church of COGIC.
Kelly attached a letter from Allen to COGIC, sent after Haynes‘s letter
purporting to suspend Allen, stating that Shiloh was severing ―ecclesiastical ties‖
with COGIC and taking COGIC out of Shiloh‘s name, pointing out that Shiloh was
never issued a certificate of membership for COGIC, and noting that COGIC‘s
name was not on any of Shiloh‘s property or bank accounts, nor was Shiloh ever
6
incorporated as ―Church of God in Christ.‖ Kelly presented no evidence that
COGIC had any control or ownership interest over Shiloh’s assets or property.
Analysis
Kelly asserts that COGIC‘s authority to ―suspend‖ Allen from preaching at
Shiloh shows the amount of control required for Allen to be considered an
6
In contrast, COGIC‘s Doctrines and Discipline states, ―A local church,
which has been accepted by [COGIC] and issued a Certificate of Membership,
shall not have the legal right or privilege to withdraw or sever its relations with the
General Church, except by and with the permission of the General Assembly.‖
11
employee of COGIC for respondeat superior purposes, but the ability to
terminate a worker is not the sole touchstone of ―control.‖ Bell, 205 S.W.3d at
713. COGIC‘s argument that Shiloh was merely ―fellowshipping‖ with COGIC,
and therefore was not a full member of COGIC, also fails to adequately address
the issue at hand, which is whether COGIC controlled the details of Allen‘s work.
The evidence shows that COGIC did not hire Allen, did not own any assets
connected with Shiloh, and although it purported to suspend Allen, that
suspension merely extended to Allen‘s participation in COGIC activities. Allen‘s
and Shiloh‘s severance from COGIC without any attendant consequences shows
that COGIC really did not have the authority to meaningfully discipline, suspend,
or terminate Allen with respect to his activities at Shiloh.
Moreover, even if COGIC exercised some control to which Allen
acquiesced by virtue of the ―fellowshipping‖ arrangement––for example, that he
would abide by the sexual misconduct policy as pastor of Shiloh––there is still no
evidence of an ability to control the details of how Allen went about his work as
pastor, including preaching, overseeing the church, and counseling parishioners.
Requiring a worker to comply with applicable laws, regulations, and safety
requirements does not show a right of control over the details of how a worker
performs his or her job. See Farlow, 284 S.W.3d at 915.
Accordingly, we conclude and hold that the evidence shows that COGIC
did not have such a right of control over the details of Allen‘s work as pastor of
Shiloh that it could be liable as an employer for purposes of respondeat
12
superior.7 See, e.g., id. at 915–17. We overrule Kelly‘s second issue to the
extent it complains about the traditional summary judgment on respondeat
superior grounds.8
No-Evidence Motion
In its no-evidence motion, COGIC contends that Kelly produced no
evidence of duty, breach, or proximate causation for the negligence claim and
the negligent hiring, supervision, retention, and training claims. Additionally, it
contends there is no evidence that it acted recklessly or intentionally, that its
conduct was extreme and outrageous, or that it directed extreme and outrageous
conduct at Kelly, for purposes of her intentional infliction of emotional distress
claim.
Negligence
Kelly alleged in her Sixth Amended Petition that COGIC was negligent in
the following ways:
(a) in failing to provide a safe environment for members and
attendees of Shiloh such as Davina Kelly;
(b) in failing to protect Davina Kelly while she was under the
supervision of [Allen and COGIC];
7
Kelly did not plead or attempt to raise a fact issue on ostensible agency.
See, e.g., Baptist Mem’l Hosp. Sys. v. Sampson, 969 S.W.2d 945, 949–50 (Tex.
1998); Farlow, 284 S.W.3d at 919–20.
8
COGIC also moved for a no-evidence summary judgment on whether
Allen was an employee of COGIC. Kelly‘s evidence fails to raise a fact issue
under that standard as well.
13
(c) in failing to provide adequate and safe supervision of Davina
Kelly while she was engaged in Shiloh sponsored activities;
(d) in negligently hiring and/or approving its
agents/employees/chaperones;
(e) [in] negligently retaining its agents/employees/chaperones;
(f) [in] negligently supervising its agents/employees/chaperones;
(g) [in] failing to timely and properly implement and enforce
policies to prevent the abuse of women;
(h) in failing to provide adequate supervision and monitoring of
Sherman Allen;
(i) in failing to institute and implement policies for the protection
of members attending Shiloh;
(j) in failing to take steps, after learning of Sherman Allen‘s
inappropriate behavior, to make sure that other people were not
beaten and raped;
(k) in failing to warn the congregation that complaints had been
received about the inappropriate behavior; and
(l) in covering up the allegations against Sherman Allen, and
refusing to cooperate with investigations, thus increasing the chance
that other people would be beaten and raped.
Kelly alleged that COGIC was liable vicariously for the acts of Allen,
Haynes, Gerald Harris, Williams, a COGIC elder,9 and ―all members of the
General Board at all times relevant to the allegations in [the] Petition and any
other employees, officers, deacons, ministers[,] and directors who knew or
should have known of Sherman Allen‘s behavior.‖ She further alleged that
9
COGIC appointed Harris and Williams to investigate Kelly‘s 2005
complaint to COGIC.
14
COGIC ―had a legal duty to persons who attended . . . Shiloh to act in a
reasonable manner to protect members participating in Shiloh activities and
during their employment.‖
Applicable Law10
―The two elements of proximate cause are cause in fact (or substantial
factor) and foreseeability. . . . . Cause in fact is established when the act or
omission was a substantial factor in bringing about the injuries, and without it, the
harm would not have occurred.‖ IHS Cedars Treatment Ctr., 143 S.W.3d at 798–
99 (citations omitted). Causation must be proved, and conjecture, guess, or
speculation will not suffice as that proof. Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld,
L.L.P. v. Nat’l Dev. & Research Corp., 299 S.W.3d 106, 122 (Tex. 2009).
Kelly’s Evidence
According to Kelly, she presented evidence that COGIC owed her a duty
because its agents knew of allegations that Allen had paddled at least two
parishioners in 1990; thus, her injury was foreseeable. She also alleged that
COGIC had superior knowledge than she did of Allen‘s past behavior and that
COGIC brought Allen into contact with her by allowing him to remain in a position
of trust as pastor of Shiloh when COGIC knew he ―was peculiarly likely to
10
The parties agree that the question of whether a duty exists is controlled
by Golden Spread Council, Inc. No. 562 of Boy Scouts of Am. v. Akins, 926
S.W.2d 287 (Tex. 1996). For purposes of our analysis, we will presume, without
deciding, that COGIC owed Kelly a duty under the principles set forth in Golden
Spread.
15
physically or sexually assault under circumstances which afforded [him] the
opportunity and temptation for such acts.‖ However, Kelly did not discuss
causation in her summary judgment response, stating only that ―[b]y failing to act
and remaining a bystander to the horrors being committed by Allen, COGIC
breached its duty to . . . Kelly. The evidence of damages speaks for itself.‖
Kelly presented deposition testimony from Carrie Lee Drake, who testified
that she attended a meeting with her husband, her friend Rosina Robinson and
Robinson‘s husband, and Ava Johnson and her husband. COGIC elder Battles,
Haynes, and another pastor were present. According to Drake, Allen was not
there. They discussed ―the paddling [and] the questions that [were] asked that
were inappropriate.‖ She recalled specifically telling Haynes and Battles that
Allen had paddled her with her clothes off. She also told them that Allen had
asked her inappropriate questions, such as whether she was on the pill or
sexually active. She also told them that if these things had happened to her, they
would happen to someone else, and she did not want that to happen to anyone
else. Robinson asked for Allen to be removed. Battles said he would look into
the matter, and Haynes said, ―[O]ld habits die hard.‖ Drake said that Battles
taped the meeting and gave the tape to Robinson.
Nelson Lee Drake, Drake‘s ex-husband, testified that after she told him
about the paddling in 1989 or 1990, they ―got a group together, because we
found more victims, and we wanted something done about it.‖ The group met
16
with Battles.11 Nelson confirmed that Drake and the other women told Battles
about the paddling. Nelson remembered that Robinson had a cast on her wrist
because Allen had tried to paddle her and broke her wrist. According to Nelson,
the women did not complain about any behavior other than the paddling. Battles
said he would look into the matter, talk to Allen, and get back to the group. Also,
Battles was the one who called the police. The group told the police the same
thing they told Battles, but the police told them there was nothing they could do
because it was a church matter. The police did not file a report.
Kelly also attached Rosina Robinson McDonald‘s deposition testimony to
her summary judgment response. McDonald testified that she and her husband
called Battles in 1990 to report what Allen did to her and to report what others at
the church were saying. According to McDonald, at the time, Battles was
―superintendent of a certain area of churches in [COGIC] in Fort Worth.‖ When
McDonald and her husband told Battles about the allegations, he said, ―Sherman
is like my son. . . . I know that this can‘t be true because he is like a son to me.‖
However, he agreed to talk to Allen and get back to them.
When Battles called McDonald back, he said Allen denied the allegations
and that Haynes should be consulted. McDonald testified that after that, she got
letters from ―everybody that had come forth‖ and took those letters to Battles.
Battles then asked if McDonald would come to a meeting with Haynes. She
11
Nelson could not remember meeting with Haynes.
17
agreed. The meeting attendants were McDonald and her husband, Haynes,
Allen, Battles, J.L. Johnson, Liddell Thomas,12 and two unidentified men. She
confirmed that Battles taped the meeting.
Haynes let McDonald explain what Allen did to her, Drake, and another
friend named ZZ. Haynes then told McDonald that Allen had explained to him
that she was making up the allegations because she was angry Allen had ―let
[her] mother die.‖ McDonald testified that she told Haynes,
I already know that - - he openly said, Sherman Allen openly
said that you guys scratch each others‘ back. I said, I know you‘re
not going to do shit to him anyway. I said, so all I‘m asking from you
is to tell the other people in the church that this is something that
God does not require of them in order to be saved or to be a part of
the church. . . . [J]ust tell the people so the people will be informed
that this is not anything that God requires to allow somebody to do
this to them.
And he said, well, Sister McDonald, we‘re going to try to help
any way we can. And I said, you‘re not going to do anything
because it‘s a habit for him. And he said, well, Sister McDonald,
can‘t habits be broken? I said, you‘re right, Bishop, . . . [i]t‘s a
lifestyle for him. I said, it will happen again. He said, we‘re going to
make sure that Superintendent Johnson comes and is like - - the
word he used was - - I think he used the words ―supervising him,‖
and that if anything goes on, you call me and you let me know.
McDonald testified to a second meeting at Shiloh with Haynes, Allen,
Johnson, and West, another pastor. All the church members were at the
meeting, which was not held on a Sunday. Haynes said they were there
because of some problems in the church, but he did not say anything about the
12
McDonald thought Johnson was a COGIC superintendent; Thomas was
another pastor.
18
paddling. Instead, he said that even if a pastor has problems, no one has a right
to destroy a church. He told the church members that Johnson would be
―making sure that he‘s . . . supervising the services.‖ Haynes also told the
members that if anything else happened, ―he [presumably Johnson] knows how
to contact me.‖
Kelly also attached an affidavit from Allen stating that ―[i]n 1990, Bishop
Neaul Haynes assigned J.L. Johnson to monitor me at the Shiloh Church based
on complaints made by female members of the Shiloh Church involving
allegations that I had paddled them.‖
Haynes testified about his role as a bishop of COGIC. He stated that if he
becomes aware of any conflict or rule-breaking, he appoints an investigative
committee, selects the members of that committee, and guides the committee in
conducting an authentic investigation. His role is defined by COGIC. Once a
complaint is found to be true, the complaint is sent to the national elders‘ council
for trial. The council is made up of all the elders in COGIC. A ―court‖ is selected
from among the members of the council. The court reviews the information
compiled by the investigative committee and then makes a recommendation to
the bishop as to what action should be taken regarding the complaint. In a past
proceeding, Haynes had removed a pastor, or the pastor resigned, and the
church remained in existence with a new pastor appointed by Haynes.
Haynes appointed Johnson as ―overseer‖ of Allen, not because it was
mandated by COGIC policy, but because
19
the way that it was brought to my attention, that was all I could do. I
felt that I had to do something to see if this was going to - - the
seriousness of it and if it was valid and what have you and him being
an official of the church and what have you, I felt that would be a
way to resolve this if it was - - needed to do so.
Haynes first recalled hearing about Allen from Battles who called in 1989
or 1990 and ―suggested that probably to look into his activities would be
meaningful and helpful.‖ Battles was ―emphatic‖ that Haynes should ―check into
what is happening‖ and suggested a meeting would be helpful. Haynes then
heard other people mention ―something happening‖ in conversation and decided
to meet with Allen and some other pastors. Haynes denied hearing any rumors
about Allen until after the conversation with Battles.
Haynes held the meeting suggested by Battles at Battles‘s church.
Battles, Johnson, a man named R.L. Samples, Allen, two or three women whose
names he could not remember and a husband of one of them,13 and a now-
deceased pastor were present. Haynes remembered the young woman there
with her husband because ―the things she said made me remember her.‖ The
women ―talked about their personal relationships with . . . Allen,‖ and Haynes
―remember[ed] distinctly that neither of them who spoke, spoke in a derogatory
way about . . . Allen.‖ According to Haynes,
one of the young ladies, the one whose husband was there, she said
to . . . Allen, you know I told you I would always love you and I still
will always love you, and her husband was sitting right there, and I‘m
13
Haynes later said another of the women‘s husbands may have been
present.
20
dodging because I didn‘t know whether - - but it was very evident
that they were present, but they were not adamant and hostile
toward . . . Allen at all.
According to Haynes, he held the meeting because Allen was seeking to
become a member of COGIC, and Haynes ―needed to know if there was
something seriously going on.‖ Haynes could not remember if the women talked
about paddling, but he said, ―There might have been a mentioning of him doing
something to them.‖ However, Haynes testified that nothing was going on
―except they were disgruntled about the relationship that was existing presently
between them and . . . Allen.‖ When asked whether he remembered the women
mentioning paddling, Haynes said he did not and explained: ―[I]n a situation
where people are talking, if they were trying to damage him in any kind of
permanent or appreciable way, it was not that obvious to me.‖ Haynes admitted
that he could not ―do anything concrete‖ to Allen unless ―he was guilty of doing
something that the church did not approve of.‖ Haynes said he only invited the
pastors to the meeting and that one of the pastors must have invited the women.
After the meeting, Haynes
assigned . . . Johnson to . . . attend the services of . . . Allen‘s church
for six weeks. He was to go there on Sunday night, sit up on the
rostrum, on the front where everybody could see him so everybody
knew who he was, and if there was anything that anybody wanted to
ask him or say to him, they would have an opportunity to do so, and
he was also to determine if there was anything of an unusual nature,
he was to report it back to me.
Haynes wanted Johnson to write down phone numbers or information reported to
him. Haynes did not instruct Johnson to make an announcement because
21
everyone would have known who he was, and Allen would not have ignored a
COGIC official at a church service. Johnson was not supposed to tell the
congregation why he was there.
When Johnson reported to Haynes, he said that ―he found nothing.
Nobody reported anything to him, nobody complained of any improprieties or
anything.‖ Haynes did not take any further action because he did not get any
complaints after that. The next time he heard about anything ―fishy‖ having to do
with Allen was in 2005 when Kelly sent a letter to COGIC detailing her allegations
against Allen. After COGIC received Kelly‘s 2005 letter, Haynes did not appoint
an investigative committee and did nothing concerning the allegations until he
sent the letter to Allen purporting to suspend Allen from his duties at Shiloh and
in COGIC. According to Haynes, it was not his place to do so because the
complaint was initiated at the national level.
J.L. Johnson testified by deposition about the meeting. He said that he,
Allen, Haynes, and Samples attended, but he could not remember whether
Battles attended. He did not know if West was there; he knew some other
COGIC representatives attended, but he could not remember their names. He
likewise did not remember the names of the women who attended the meeting.
Johnson testified that the meeting took place at his church. Johnson
remembered a discussion, but he could not remember discussing paddling
specifically. He remembered Haynes asking him to ―once or twice‖ supervise or
look in on Allen and the congregation about the allegations in the meeting.
22
Johnson reported back to Haynes that he visited three or four times but that
everything was fine. No one talked to him while he was at Shiloh. Johnson said
he never made any announcements or gave any talks to the congregation.
Kelly also attached a May 15, 2007 letter from Allen to the General Board
responding to a statement to the press indicating Allen had been suspended. In
the letter, Allen said that he had voluntarily stopped preaching at Shiloh in
February 2007.14 He also referred to COGIC as ―our church.‖ He stated he did
not want to appear to defy an order of COGIC because he had taught Shiloh
members to respect the structure of COGIC.
Analysis
Kelly contends that COGIC‘s failure to protect her from Allen, to provide
her and other church members a safe environment, and to warn other church
members or take appropriate steps in 1990 proximately caused her injuries as a
result of Allen‘s behavior. Thus, she contends that but for COGIC‘s failure to act
in 1990, Allen would not have had the opportunity to injure her while she was
being counseled by him and when she was working as an employee for him and
for Shiloh.
Kelly has failed to bring forward a scintilla of evidence beyond mere
conjecture, speculation, or guess showing that COGIC‘s failure to act in 1990
14
The record does not show how long this self-imposed cessation lasted;
however, the record is clear that Allen resumed his duties at some point after
breaking ties with COGIC.
23
proximately caused her injuries. The same affiliation between COGIC and Shiloh
existed in 1990 as in 2007 when Haynes attempted to suspend Allen; even if
COGIC had attempted to suspend Allen after learning of the 1990 allegations,
there is no evidence that its doing so would have prevented Allen and Shiloh
from severing ties with COGIC and Allen continuing to preach at Shiloh without
COGIC affiliation as he did in 2007. Kelly brought forward no evidence that if
COGIC had told the congregation at Shiloh of the allegations against Allen in
1990 that Kelly would have heard of these allegations and not have begun or
continued attending Shiloh. According to McDonald‘s and Drake‘s testimony, at
least some of the parishioners were aware of their allegations that Allen had
paddled young women in the church. Allen‘s letter attached as summary
judgment evidence shows that even after the allegations became public and
COGIC tried to suspend him, Shiloh, although in Chapter 11 bankruptcy, was still
a functioning church and members were still attending. There is simply no
evidence that even if COGIC representatives had made the congregation aware
of the 1990 allegations at that time that Allen would not have remained as pastor
of Shiloh and thus would not have been able to commit the alleged acts against
Kelly.15
15
Our analysis should not be construed to approve of COGIC‘s response to
the 1990 allegations or to diminish the seriousness of Allen‘s alleged behavior.
However, on the specific facts of this case, the link between COGIC‘s alleged
lack of, or ineffectual, response in 1990 and the heinous acts alleged in 2001
through 2005 are too attenuated to amount to cause in fact under our negligence
law.
24
Accordingly, we conclude and hold that the trial court did not err by
granting a no-evidence summary judgment on Kelly‘s negligence claims.16
Negligent Hiring, Supervision, Retention, and Training
Kelly‘s Sixth Amended Petition included claims for negligent hiring,
supervision, retention, and training. These types of claims are all simple
negligence causes of action based on ―an employer‘s direct negligence rather
than on vicarious liability.‖ Morris v. JTM Materials, Inc., 78 S.W.3d 28, 49 (Tex.
App.––Fort Worth 2002, no pet.).
Applicable Law
Negligence in hiring or retention requires that an employer‘s failure to
investigate, screen, or supervise its employees proximately caused the injuries
the plaintiff alleges. Fifth Club, Inc. v. Ramirez, 196 S.W.3d 788, 796 (Tex.
16
Because we conclude that there is no evidence of cause in fact, we do
not address the parties‘ foreseeability arguments. We note that COGIC‘s
argument––that the 1990 allegations of paddling ―did not make it foreseeable that
a grown, competent, 28 year old woman would allow herself to be paddled
regularly for 4 years and to be repeatedly raped over a period of 4 months‖––
appears to attack Kelly‘s credibility and, as such, does not comport with the
applicable standard of review. [Emphasis added.] Nothing in the facts alleged
by Kelly, including any delay in a failure to report, compels the conclusion that
her testimony lacked credibility; furthermore, the credibility of a witness is not a
matter to be resolved by a no-evidence summary judgment. See, e.g., Wilcox v.
Marriott, 103 S.W.3d 469, 475 (Tex. App.––San Antonio 2003, pet. denied).
Despite the offensiveness of this argument, which we presume was unintended
but which nevertheless implies that a woman can be culpable for ―allow[ing]‖
herself to be ―repeatedly raped,‖ we did not consider it in our analysis of this
issue as it was not necessary for us to reach foreseeability. See Cunningham v.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tex., No. 02-06-00363-CV, 2008 WL 467399, at *2
(Tex. App.––Fort Worth Feb. 24, 2008, pet. denied) (mem. op.) (on reh‘g).
25
2006); Dangerfield v. Ormsby, 264 S.W.3d 904, 912 (Tex. App.––Fort Worth
2008, no pet.). An employer is not negligent when there is nothing in the
employee‘s background that would cause a reasonable employer not to hire or
retain the employee. Fifth Club, 196 S.W.3d at 796; Dangerfield, 264 S.W.3d at
912. To establish a claim for negligent training, a plaintiff must prove that a
reasonably prudent employer would have provided training beyond that which
was given and that failure to do so caused his injuries. Dangerfield, 264 S.W.3d
at 912. To establish a claim for negligent supervision, a plaintiff must show that
an employer‘s failure to supervise its employees caused his injuries. Id. at 913.
Thus, to be liable for negligent hiring, supervision, retention, or training, a
defendant must have been involved in hiring the actor or retaining that actor in its
employ. See Golden Spread Council, Inc. No. 562 of Boy Scouts of Am. v.
Akins, 926 S.W.2d 287, 290 (Tex. 1996); CoTemp, Inc. v. Houston W. Corp., 222
S.W.3d 487, 492 (Tex. App.––Houston [14th Dist.] 2007, no pet.).
Analysis
Because there is no evidence that COGIC participated in the hiring or
retention of Allen as pastor of Shiloh––or that it retained the requisite control over
Allen‘s day-to-day activities as pastor––a no-evidence summary judgment was
proper as to Kelly‘s negligent hiring, supervision, retention, and training claims.
See Golden Spread, 926 S.W.2d at 290; Williams, 115 S.W.3d at 618. Even to
the extent Haynes assigned Johnson to ―supervise‖ Allen in 1990, it is clear from
the record that Allen acquiesced to those actions. Haynes testified that COGIC
26
had a sexual misconduct policy in place, which made local pastors responsible
for its implementation at the local level; however, Haynes did not initiate the
process in 1990 because no one filed a written complaint. There is no evidence
indicating that Allen was unaware of the sexual misconduct policy or that
additional training would have prevented Kelly‘s injuries. Finally, to the extent
Kelly argues that COGIC should have investigated Allen‘s background before
allowing Shiloh to use ―Church of God in Christ‖ in its name, as we have stated
before, there is no evidence that the fellowshipping or affiliation with COGIC is
what drew Kelly to attend Shiloh.
Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress
COGIC further contends that Kelly did not present any evidence that it
recklessly directed any conduct toward her or that its conduct was extreme or
outrageous.
Applicable Law
To recover damages for intentional infliction of emotional distress, a
plaintiff must establish that (1) the defendant acted intentionally or recklessly,
(2) the defendant‘s conduct was extreme and outrageous, (3) the defendant‘s
actions caused the plaintiff emotional distress, and (4) the resulting emotional
distress was severe. Hoffmann-LaRoche Inc. v. Zeltwanger, 144 S.W.3d 438,
445 (Tex. 2004); Standard Fruit & Vegetable Co. v. Johnson, 985 S.W.2d 62, 65
(Tex. 1998). Extreme and outrageous conduct is conduct ―so outrageous in
character, and so extreme in degree, as to go beyond all possible bounds of
27
decency, and to be regarded as atrocious, and utterly intolerable in a civilized
community.‖ Zeltwanger, 144 S.W.3d at 445 (quoting Twyman v. Twyman, 855
S.W.2d 619, 621 (Tex. 1993)). Liability does not extend to mere insults,
indignities, threats, annoyances, petty oppressions, or other trivialities.
Zeltwanger, 144 S.W.3d at 445; GTE Sw., Inc. v. Bruce, 998 S.W.2d 605, 612
(Tex. 1999); Restatement (Second) of Torts § 46 cmt. d (1965). It is for the court
to determine, in the first instance, whether a defendant‘s conduct was extreme
and outrageous. Zeltwanger, 144 S.W.3d at 445; GTE Sw., Inc., 998 S.W.2d at
616; Restatement (Second) of Torts § 46 cmt. h. But when reasonable minds
may differ, it is for the jury, subject to the court‘s control, to determine whether, in
the particular case, the conduct was sufficiently extreme and outrageous to result
in liability. Zeltwanger, 144 S.W.3d at 445; GTE Sw., Inc., 998 S.W.2d at 616;
Restatement (Second) of Torts § 46 cmt. h.
Intentional infliction of emotional distress is, first and foremost, a ―gap-filler‖
tort, judicially created for the limited purpose of allowing recovery in those rare
instances in which a defendant intentionally inflicts severe emotional distress in a
manner so unusual that the victim has no other recognized theory of redress.
Zeltwanger, 144 S.W.3d at 447. The tort‘s ―clear purpose‖ is ―to supplement
existing forms of recovery by providing a cause of action for egregious conduct‖
that might otherwise go unremedied. Id. The tort should not be extended to
―circumvent the limitations placed on the recovery of mental anguish damages
under more established tort doctrines.‖ Id.
28
Analysis
The extreme and outrageous behavior alleged by Kelly is that COGIC
knew of the allegations made against Allen in 1990 and did nothing, thus
facilitating Allen‘s being able to do even worse things to her. Thus, her complaint
is that COGIC‘s behavior was extreme and outrageous because it failed to
prevent her injury by either warning the parishioners or suspending or terminating
Allen as pastor of Shiloh. In other words, she complains that COGIC failed to
prevent Allen from intentionally inflicting emotional distress on her by not
disclosing these incidents to the parishioners of Shiloh Church or terminating
Allen.17 COGIC‘s response to the 1990 allegations may have been so weak and
ineffective as to be considered nonexistent, and possibly even calculated to
discourage any further reporting, but it does not rise to the level of extreme and
outrageous. See id. at 449. There is no evidence that COGIC knew of any
matters related to Kelly specifically until she sent a letter to COGIC in 2005
detailing her allegations against Allen. Moreover, Kelly‘s complaint is at its core
a negligence complaint; thus, the tort of intentional infliction of emotional distress
is not available. See id. at 447. We conclude and hold that the trial court did not
err by granting a no-evidence summary judgment on Kelly‘s intentional infliction
of emotional distress claim.
17
The evidence shows that the Kellys began attending Shiloh in either
1997 or 2000.
29
We overrule Kelly‘s first issue.18
Conclusion
Having overruled the dispositive parts of Kelly‘s two issues, we affirm the
trial court‘s judgment.
TERRIE LIVINGSTON
CHIEF JUSTICE
PANEL: LIVINGSTON, C.J.; DAUPHINOT and MCCOY, JJ.
DELIVERED: May 12, 2011
18
Because we have concluded that the trial court properly granted either a
traditional or no-evidence summary judgment on all of Kelly‘s claims, we need
not address the contention in her second issue that the negligence claims are not
barred on First Amendment grounds. See Tex. R. App. P. 47.1.
30