Court Dismisses Title VII Claim By Pastor Against Catholic Archdiocese

In Ogugua v. Archdiocese of Omaha, 2008 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 85317 (D NE, Oct. 22, 2008), a Nebraska federal district court dismissed a Title VII discrimination claim by an assistant pastor who was suspended from exercising priestly functions by the Omaha Catholic Archdiocese. Plaintiff alleged national origin and race discrimination, sexual harassment and retaliation. The court concluded that all the claims relate to adverse personnel action against plaintiff. It said: "A court cannot interfere in such decisions without becoming entangled in matters of religion in violation of the First Amendment's Establishment Clause." The court also refused to exercise supplemental jurisdiction over plaintiff's defamation claim. (See prior related posting.)