Anonymous v. St. John Lutheran Church

Cassel, Judge.

INTRODUCTION

Anonymous filed suit against St. John Lutheran Church of Seward, Nebraska, a Nebraska corporation, and Gary Lewien and John Doe 1 through 2,300 (real names unknown), doing business as St. John Lutheran Congregation, an unincorporated religious association (collectively St. John); the Nebraska District of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, a Nebraska corporation, and the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, a Missouri corporation (subsequently dismissed as parties); and the estate of David Mannigel, deceased (Estate of Mannigel), based upon allegations of sexual abuse…