The Supreme Court just expanded the ‘ministerial exception’ shielding religious employers from anti-bias laws
Should religious employers be allowed to discriminate?
When it comes to houses of worship selecting spiritual leaders, then the answer from lower courts has long been “yes.” Even if, say, a member of the clergy is dismissed on the grounds of their race, gender identity, age or disability. That’s because churches can claim a “ministerial exception” from complying with nondiscrimination laws.
The Supreme Court has just expanded that exemption to cover employees at religious schools. In so doing, they may have opened the doors to faith-based providers of services such as health care and social services, as well as education, to openly discriminate against staff who may perform some religious duties.
‘Unwanted ministers’
The ruling in Our Lady of Guadalupe School v. Morrissey-Berru is not th...