Montana Court says Jehovah’s Witnesses need not report child abuse

The Montana state Supreme Court has reversed a jury verdict of $4 million in compensatory damages and $31 million in punitive damages awarded to two children who were sexually abused by a member of a local congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses.  The children had claimed that the Congregation had a duty to report the abuse to the state when it was reported.  The Court said that reporting is not required if a communication is required to be confidential by canon law, church doctrine, or established church practice.