Total Articles: 6
Supreme Court Holds that ‘Ministerial Exception’ Protects Church from Teacher’s Retaliation Claim
In a significant, unanimous decision last week, the U.S. Supreme Court confirmed that a “ministerial exception” bars employment discrimination actions brought by employees who fall within this exception against religious employers. Relying upon the “religion clauses” of the First Amendment, the Supreme Court held that the exception barred the retaliation claim of a teacher who was also a commissioned minister. Hosanna-Tabor Evangelical Lutheran Church and School v. E.E.O.C.
Supreme Court Recognizes “Ministerial Exception” to Employment Discrimination Laws
Last week, the United States Supreme Court ruled for the first time that the First Amendment bars suits by ministers against their churches under employment discrimination laws. The ruling, however, is not limited to those individuals who head a congregation or to any one particular religion.
Supreme Court Addresses "Ministerial Exception" to Discrimination Laws
Executive Summary: On January 11, 2012, the Supreme Court issued what is arguably one of its most significant religious liberty decisions in two decades. The Supreme Court unanimously held that a teacher at a Lutheran School could not maintain an action under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) arising out of her discharge. Chief Justice John Roberts, writing for the court, in Hosanna-Tabor Evangelical Lutheran Church and School v. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, et al., 565 U.S. ___, No. 10-553 (2012), stated that the "ministerial" exception to the application of such employment discrimination laws was grounded in the Establishment and Free Exercise Clauses of the First Amendment and should be applied to this teacher because she was a minister within the meaning of the "ministerial" exception.
U.S. Supreme Court on Ministerial Exception to Title VII
The U.S. Supreme Court decided for the first time that there is a "ministerial exception" to anti-discrimination laws such as the ADA. The lower courts for many years recognized that exception.
"Ministerial Exception" Bars Ministers’ Discrimination Claims, U.S. Supreme Court Rules
The U.S. Supreme Court unanimously has recognized the "ministerial exception" under the Establishment and Free Exercise Clauses of the First Amendment and barred employment discrimination suits brought on behalf of ministers against church or religious organizations.
Supreme Court Strengthens Exception Barring Employment Discrimination Suits Against Religious Entities
A recent U.S. Supreme Court decision has reinforced the protections afforded to religious organizations against employment discrimination lawsuits. In Hosanna-Tabor Evangelical Lutheran Church and School v. EEOC, (pdf) the Court unanimously held that the so-called “ministerial exception” included in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other employment law statutes prevents a former religious school teacher who taught a full secular curriculum as well as a daily course on religion and regularly led students in prayer and worship – from bringing ADA claims against her employer, as she qualified as a ministerial employee even if the majority of her duties involved secular instruction.
