Key point 8-10.01. The civil courts have consistently ruled that the First Amendment prevents the civil courts from applying employment laws to the relationship between a church and a minister.
A Pennsylvania court ruled that it was barred by the “ministerial exception” from resolving a priest’s claim that members of his church “interfered with” his employment contract by sharing negative information about him with diocesan officials for the purpose of having him permanently removed.
Background
A Catholic priest was appointed by contract by his diocese to be the priest and administrator for a church in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Prior to this assignment, the priest alleged that a lay employee (“Defendant 1”) and two lay members of the church (“Defendant 2” and “Defendant 3”) exerted influence over the parish’s finances.
After ...
Join now to access this member-only content
Already a member? Log in for full access.