Our Lady of Guadalupe Sch. v. Morrissey-Berru

**Religious School Teachers and Discrimination Protection** This case involved two teachers at Catholic schools who were fired and believed it was due to age and disability discrimination. Agnes Morrissey-Berru taught at Our Lady of Guadalupe School and claimed she was let go because of her age. Both teachers sued their schools under federal anti-discrimination laws. The Supreme Court ruled against the teachers, deciding that religious schools can hire and fire teachers without being subject to employment discrimination laws. The Court applied something called the "ministerial exception," which gives religious organizations broad freedom to make employment decisions about workers who perform important religious functions. The Court determined that these teachers fell into this protected category because they taught religion and helped carry out the schools' religious mission. This decision significantly limits legal protections for workers at religious institutions. Teachers, ministers, and other employees who perform religious duties at churches, religious schools, and similar organizations cannot sue for age, disability, race, or gender discrimination under federal employment laws. Workers considering jobs at religious institutions should understand they may have fewer legal protections than employees at secular organizations, even if their roles seem primarily educational rather than religious.