A federal judge has dismissed a gender discrimination lawsuit filed against Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem by the Rev. Eboni Marshall Turman, who had applied to become the church’s senior pastor.
According to the Associated Press, Judge Dale E. Ho dismissed her suit, citing the “ministerial exception,” which limits court intervention in religious institutions’ employment decisions involving clergy.
“There is no way for this Court to resolve Dr. Marshall Turman’s employment discrimination claim without becoming entangled with Abyssinian’s ecclesiastical innerworkings,” the judge said, according to the Religion News Service.
“We are grateful that the members of Abyssinian can continue to worship, heal and embrace their new Senior Pastor Rev. Dr. Kevin R. Johnson who has already helped to grow the historic church,” said spokesperson LaToya Evans in a statement to the Religion News Service. “Under Rev. Dr. Johnson’s leadership, Abyssinian’s congregation has already experienced meaningful growth and renewed spiritual connection.”
In addition to this case, Abyssinian is also facing a separate lawsuit from some of its members over the process by which Johnson was selected.
Turman, a Yale Divinity School professor, served for about 10 years in various ministerial positions at Abyssinian, including as an assistant minister from 2010 to 2012. She is reportedly considering an appeal.
Turman described the dismissal in a statement to the Associated Press as being due to a “technicality.” She insisted that her “moral claim” of gender discrimination stands and that it has no place in the church or elsewhere.