ecclesiastical exception

The "ecclesiastical exception," also known as the "ministerial exception," is a legal doctrine that exempts religious institutions from antidiscrimination laws with regard to their employment relationships with ministers.

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With a foundation in the First Amendment's protections of the practice of religion, the ministerial exception is an affirmative defense in the event that a religious institution is sued by one of its employees who qualifies as a "minister."

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Synonyms

ministerial exception