context: Their decision to so proceed was based on their interpretation of Matthew 18:15-20, an inherently ecclesiastical matter. We hold that court interference with that decision through imposition of tort liability in this case would impinge upon matters of church governance in violation of the First Amendment.
citation_a.signal: see also
citation_a.identifier: 616 F.Supp. 737, 737-39
citation_a.parenthetical: dismissing pastor's suit for alleged denial of benefits based on interpretation of the church synod constitution
citation_a.sentence: See Milivojevich, 426 U.S. at 713, 96 S.Ct. 2372 (noting that an inquiry into whether the church complied with church laws and regulations is prohibited by the First Amendment); see also United Methodist Church, Baltimore Annual Conference, v. White, 571 A.2d 790, 794 (D.C.1990) (stating “secular evaluation of the procedures that ecclesiastical or cannon law requires the church to follow is precisely the type of inquiry the First Amendment prohibits”); Minker, 894 F.2d at 1358-59 (holding civil courts lack jurisdiction to interpret provisions of the United Methodist Church’s Book of Discipline governing pastoral appointments); Hafner, 616 F.Supp. at 737-39 (dismissing pastor’s suit for alleged denial of benefits based on interpretation of the church synod constitution).
citation_b.signal: see
citation_b.identifier: 426 U.S. 713, 713
citation_b.parenthetical: noting that an inquiry into whether the church complied with church laws and regulations is prohibited by the First Amendment
citation_b.sentence: See Milivojevich, 426 U.S. at 713, 96 S.Ct. 2372 (noting that an inquiry into whether the church complied with church laws and regulations is prohibited by the First Amendment); see also United Methodist Church, Baltimore Annual Conference, v. White, 571 A.2d 790, 794 (D.C.1990) (stating “secular evaluation of the procedures that ecclesiastical or cannon law requires the church to follow is precisely the type of inquiry the First Amendment prohibits”); Minker, 894 F.2d at 1358-59 (holding civil courts lack jurisdiction to interpret provisions of the United Methodist Church’s Book of Discipline governing pastoral appointments); Hafner, 616 F.Supp. at 737-39 (dismissing pastor’s suit for alleged denial of benefits based on interpretation of the church synod constitution).