Horne v. Andrews

Ruffin, Presiding Judge.

Danny Horne, the pastor of the Ariel Bowen United Methodist Church, sued Leonard Andrews, a church official, who allegedly libeled and slandered Horne. Andrews moved for summary judgment, which the trial court granted. In its order, the trial court concluded that it lacked jurisdiction to address the claims. Specifically, the trial court found that it could not address the issue without delving into issues of church governance, “which is prohibited by the Free Exercise Clause of the United States Constitution.” Horne appeals, asserting that the trial court: (1) erred…