Abstract
There is an enormous body of literature highlighting the relevance of religion and religious actors in international relations, as well as their potential as a catalyst for peace and conflict. However, the responsibility and accountability of religious actors for the wrongful acts of their members has not received so much attention. The degree of institutionalization of the religious group, as well as religious authority and relations of authority within the group is an element to which courts and law operators are giving an increasing importance in order to evaluate that responsibility and accountability of the religious organization, as evidenced by civil litigation for sex abuse by clergy. However, it must be taken into account that religious authority and religious organizational structures depend heavily on the beliefs of the community. Therefore, those beliefs must be examined closely.