US Supreme Court rules religious schools immune from most discrimination suits
Teachers at private schools are not protected by anti-discrimination laws if their duties include religious instruction, the US Supreme Court has ruled, the latest example of the court siding with religious institutions in cases brought before it.
The 7-2 decision on Wednesday was the result of two separate discrimination cases brought by ex-teachers at Catholic schools in Southern California against their former employers.
It effectively expands the definition of “ministerial exception," a legal principle based on First Amendment protections that bars ministers at religious organisations from suing their employers. The Supreme Court's ruling on Wednesday means anyone who performs religious instruction or offers religious guidance — even if they do not specifically teach religion courses — would be considered a minister, uncovered by anti-discrimination laws.
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