Gallas v. Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North & South America

OPINION OF THE COURT

Edward J. Greenfield, J.

This is a case involving prelates of a church, arising out of a charge by plaintiff that one of them, using the charisma of Rasputin and the mesmerizing power of a Svengali, had seduced her as a young parishioner and held her in thrall for several years, and that when she broke free, was coerced into silence by the church hierarchy. There are countercharges that plaintiff is fantasizing, that what she claims never took *496place, and that by publicizing her charges she has defamed the Bishop accused, subjecting him to ridicule and contempt, deprivation…