Langford v. Roman Catholic Diocese

OPINION OF THE COURT

Herbert Kramer, J.

Can plaintiff parishioner maintain a cause of action against *898her priest for damages she allegedly sustained when their pastoral relationship developed into a sexual relationship? Although this is a question of first impression in New York,1 it has been vigorously litigated across the country. Some of the courts considering this question were willing to sustain a cause of action for breach of fiduciary duty,2 while others declined on First Amendment grounds.3 Defendants seek summary judgment contending that it is impossible to try this case without…