Defamation Suit Dismissed On Ecclesiastical Abstention Grounds

In McRaney v. North American Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention, (ND MS, April 22, 2019), a Mississippi federal district court dismissed on ecclesiastical abstention grounds a defamation suit by a the former executive director of the Baptist Convention of Maryland and Delaware (BCMD).  Plaintiff contended that the North American Mission Board defamed him to BCMD and tortiously interfered with his employment contract.  The court said that resolution of plaintiff's claims would require it to determine whether the Mission Board had a valid religious reason for its actions-- and "That the court cannot do."  Baptist Press reports on the decision.