Court Lacks Jurisdiction Over Decision Not To Circulate Minister's Resume

In Thibodeau v. American Baptist Churches of Connecticut, (CT App., April 27, 2010), the Appellate Court of Connecticut held that the free exercise protections of the U.S. and Connecticut constitutions preclude it from exercising jurisdiction over complaints by a Baptist minister that the regional organization of American Baptist churches refused to circulate his resume to congregations because of concern about his fitness for the ministry. The court held that plaintiff's promissory estoppel, defamation, fraud and infliction of emotional distress claims all involve issues of the church's internal management and the right of a church to determine, without government interference, the qualifications of individuals to serve as a member of the clergy. (See prior related posting.)