I'm not sure what right you're referring to as being expressly granted? The ministerial exception has existed since the establishment clause was ratified as part of the first amendment. Religious organizations have always been exempt from the Civil Rights Act as employers, from the ADA's public access provisions under Title III.
This decision does not break any new ground, it just affirms the right of religious organizations to engage in retaliatory and hostile employment actions as long as they can convincingly claim that the employee in question is covered by the ministerial exception.
I'm not sure, either, why you would be grateful that your religious organization continues to have the right to engage in retaliatory and discriminatory employment practices. I suggest you look over the case documentation more closely to see what was actually being argued here.
no subject
Date: 2012-01-14 01:58 am (UTC)This decision does not break any new ground, it just affirms the right of religious organizations to engage in retaliatory and hostile employment actions as long as they can convincingly claim that the employee in question is covered by the ministerial exception.
I'm not sure, either, why you would be grateful that your religious organization continues to have the right to engage in retaliatory and discriminatory employment practices. I suggest you look over the case documentation more closely to see what was actually being argued here.