Federal Court Dismisses Lawsuit Against Indianapolis Archdiocese

Catholic News Agency ^ | 8/11/21 | Matt Hadro

[marshmallow]

A federal district court on Wednesday tossed out a lawsuit against the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, filed by a former Catholic school guidance counselor fired for entering a same-sex marriage contract.

Judge Richard Young of the Southern District of Indiana on Aug. 11 ruled that the former Roncalli Catholic High School counselor, Lynn Starkey, qualified as a minister of religion; thus, the archdiocese and school were exempt from federal workplace discrimination prohibitions, regarding her termination of employment.

Young wrote that “the court concludes the ministerial exception bars all of Starkey's claims.” He granted summary judgement to the archdiocese in the case, ruling in favor of their petition to dismiss Starkey’s lawsuit.

Luke Goodrich, VP and senior counsel with Becket, the firm that represents the archdiocese in the case, stated on Twitter that the decision was a “big win” for religious freedom.

Becket, he said, “argued that Catholic schools exist to teach the faith to the next generation, and they can’t do that effectively if the law forces them to employ teachers who oppose core aspects of the Catholic faith.”

Starkey had worked at Roncalli High since 1978. She became guidance counselor in 1997, and served as co-director for guidance since 2007. According to the Indianapolis Star, she entered into a same-sex marriage contract in 2015.

[Skywise]

Buh-bye.

[kiryandil]

Holy Carp! A Clinton judge did this!

[circlecity]

“Holy Carp! A Clinton judge did this!”

A left wing deep state judge at that. He probably hated doing it but he had no choice. One major ruling from the Supreme Court under Trump was protection of religious schools and institutions from civil rights claims with regard hiring and firing for any position that’s part of the ministry. And the organizations get to decide which positions are part of the ministry.