ESL Teacher At Christian College Loses Suit Because of Ministerial Exception Doctrine

In Yin v. Columbia International University, (D SC, Sept. 30, 2018), a South Carolina federal district court held that the ministerial exception applies to a teacher of English as a second language at a university that trains students for the Christian ministry. Plaintiff's contract was terminated when the university encountered financial difficulties.  The court thus dismissed plaintiff's suit alleging discrimination and retaliation against her on the basis of race, sex, and national origin, as well as violation of the Equal Pay Act and defamation.