Odenthal v. Minnesota Conference of Seventh-Day Adventists

OPINION

TOUSSAINT, Chief Judge

The district court denied appellants motion for summary judgment on respondents claim against appellant minister for negligent counseling. Appellants challenge this decision, asserting that the district court does not have subject matter jurisdiction over the action. Because resolution of the claim would result in excessive entanglement with religion in violation of the First Amendment, we reverse.

FACTS

Respondent Steven Odenthal and his then-wife Diane were members of the Minnetonka Seventh-Day Adventist Church. The couple sought marital counseling from their…