Our Lady of Guadalupe School v. Morrissey‑Berru

Summary

The First Amendment's Religion Clauses foreclose the adjudication of employment-discrimination claims brought by teachers at religious schools who are entrusted with the responsibility of instructing their students in the faith.

Holdings

1. The First Amendment’s Religion Clauses foreclose adjudication of the teachers’ employment‑discrimination claims; the ministerial exception applies to them.

Questions Presented

1. Whether the First Amendment’s ministerial exception bars employment‑discrimination claims by Catholic school teachers who lack formal ministerial titles.
2. Whether the Ninth Circuit erred by applying a rigid checklist to determine ministerial status.

Disposition

reversed_and_remanded