W.D. N.C.: Catholic high school liable for firing teacher in same-sex marriage. The court rejected defenses based on the First Amendment—including the Ministerial Exception— Title VII, and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, among others. Religion Clause reports on the decision here. Read the decision here: Billard v. Charlotte Catholic High School, (W.D. N.C., Sept. 3, 2021).
Category: marriage
S.D. Ind.: Ministerial Exception Requires Dismissal of Title VII Claims By Catholic School Guidance Counselor
“Ministerial Exception Requires Dismissal Of Title VII Claims By Catholic School Guidance Counselor” Religion Clause covers the decision here.
“One goal of Methodists’ plan to split the church over same-sex marriage and clergy: Avoid lawsuits”
“One goal of Methodists’ plan to split the church over same-sex marriage and clergy: Avoid lawsuits” The Washington Post covers the split, including why congregations going through the process should consult a lawyer even without litigation, here.
“Church: Free speech protects decision to fire gay Indianapolis teacher”
“Church: Free speech protects decision to fire gay Indianapolis teacher.” The Indiana Lawyer covers a recent filing in a lawsuit involving the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Indianapolis and a teacher it directed a school to fire here.
1745 Authority to marry
[podcast src=”https://html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/5921739/height/90/theme/custom/autoplay/no/autonext/no/thumbnail/yes/preload/no/no_addthis/no/direction/forward/render-playlist/no/custom-color/c30000/” height=”90″ width=”450″]All states authorize clergy to perform marriage ceremonies. But each state has its own definitions and procedures. For example, some states have narrow definitions of who qualifies as clergy, sometimes even requiring registration. And the consequences of not following these procedures can fall on both the marrying couple and the minister.
FREE Webinar from Church Executive on Same-Sex Marriage and Transgender Law, Aug. 24 @ 11:00 a.m. E.D.T.
FREE Webinar from Church Executive on Same-Sex Marriage and Transgender Law, Aug. 24 @ 11:00 a.m. E.D.T. Register here. Here’s the description:
5 Developments in Religion and Law since Law Meets Gospel started
Five years ago, I set out to try my hand at blogging about legal and related issues that religious groups face. I sought to help faith communities improve their grasp of the rules that govern them, organize themselves, and feel comfortable contacting a lawyer for help. The last five years have brought some very interesting developments at the intersection of law and religion, and the next five promise even more. I’ve enjoyed blogging, though I have not been as regular as I would like to be. I aim to change that in the coming months. I’ve also created some graphics to help you know right away that what you’re seeing is Law Meets Gospel. To mark the fifth birthday of this effort, below are five important developments in the law that affect faith communities. And then some other big news … .
Continue reading “5 Developments in Religion and Law since Law Meets Gospel started”
How to Get Arrested for Marrying Same-Sex Couples
There has been a lot of hubbub going around news outlets, blogs, and social media about how Republicans have changed the law in Indiana (my beloved home state) to make it a crime for same-sex couples to apply for marriage licenses and “for clergy to conduct weddings for gay couples.” (Emphasis from Americablog.)
Nothing New Here
As several sources have pointed out (again, blog and news outlet alike), these accounts are off target. The laws are not new, and they do not explicitly target same-sex couples. The only thing that is new is the name Indiana gives to the category of crime committed. Continue reading “How to Get Arrested for Marrying Same-Sex Couples”