Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Lawsuits over how church leaders handled reports of child abuse.
13 developments, 2017–2026, oldest first.
2017
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West Virginia families sue church alleging leaders concealed abuse by convicted member
Six families alleged church leaders knew Michael Jensen, convicted in 2013, was abusing children and failed to act; the church denied tolerating abuse.
2018
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Former Missionary Training Center president accused of sexual assault
A woman alleged that Joseph L. Bishop, a former MTC president, assaulted her in the 1980s; he was not criminally charged.
2022
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AP investigation: church abuse help line steered reports to lawyers, abuse continued for years
AP reported that church officials in Bisbee, Arizona, did not report a member's admitted abuse to authorities after calling the church's help line, which routes calls to a law firm.
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Judge limits clergy-privilege defense in Arizona church abuse case
A Cochise County judge ruled the church could not broadly rely on clergy-penitent privilege in the Bisbee civil case.
2023
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Arizona appeals court upholds clergy privilege in child abuse case
An appeals court ruled church clergy could invoke clergy-penitent privilege in litigation over the Bisbee abuse case.
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California jury awards $2.3 billion in abuse case that had named the church
A Riverside County, California jury awarded $2.28 billion against an abuser; the church had earlier settled its part of the suit for $1 million while denying wrongdoing.
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Court dismisses Bisbee abuse lawsuit against church citing clergy-penitent privilege
An Arizona judge dismissed the lawsuit, finding bishops had no duty to report information learned in confession.
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Recordings show how church handled abuse claims against former bishop
AP reported recordings in which church officials discouraged a bishop from testifying and offered a confidential settlement in a case involving a former bishop.
2024
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Utah Legislature expands clergy ability to report child abuse
Utah lawmakers passed a bill shielding clergy from liability when they report abuse learned in confession.
2025
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Church nears global settlement in dozens of California abuse lawsuits
Filings indicated progress on a settlement in principle covering more than 100 California claims against the church.
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Arizona appeals court revives Bisbee abuse lawsuit against church
An appeals court unanimously reversed the dismissal, finding the church may have had a duty to report and that clergy privilege has limits.
2026
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Federal appeals court says insurers may have to cover church's West Virginia abuse settlement
The 10th Circuit reversed a ruling for the church's insurers over settlements tied to abuse by Michael Jensen and sent the case back.
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Arizona Supreme Court rules church leaders not bound to report abuse confessions
The court unanimously reinstated dismissal of the Bisbee lawsuit, holding the clergy exemption shielded bishops from reporting confessions.