“How to Recognize and Confront Fraud: Two telltale signs, and the best and worst ways to respond to suspected stealing.” Bobby Ross Jr. has this interview with Nathan Salsbery on ManagingYourChurch.
Month: October 2017
Ga.: flipping the bird at a pastor during worship protected speech
Ga.: flipping the bird at a pastor during worship protected speech. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports on the Georgia Supreme Court’s decision overturning a man’s conviction for disorderly conduct here.
“Trump Administration Set to Roll Back Birth Control Mandate”
“Trump Administration Set to Roll Back Birth Control Mandate” Robert Pear of the New York Times has this report about coming exemptions to regulations under Affordable Care Act that require employers to provide coverage for contraceptives. The new exemptions allow employers or insurers that object to covering contraceptive based sincerely held religious beliefs or moral convictions. Houses of worship and similar religious employers were exempted under the Obama-era rules, but other religious organizations, including hospitals and schools, and entities that were not overtly religious but that were owned by individuals with religious objections to the coverage were required to provide the coverage. The 2014 Supreme Court decision in Burwell v. Hobby Lobby held that the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) required an exception for closely held, for-profit corporations controlled by owners who object to paying for contraceptives. In 2016 the Supreme Court considered a group of cases brought under RFRA by religious nonprofits, colleges, and schools that sought to expand the exemption as it applied to houses of worship to those groups. Zubik v. Burwell, 136 S. Ct. 1557 (2016). The Supreme Court did not decide the issue, instead remanding the case and encouraging the sides to explore alternative resolution. In May President Trump highlighted one of the groups in that consolidated case, the Little Sisters of the Poor Home for the Aged, praising the nuns who run that organization for their challenge and promising these changes allowing their objections to be accommodated.
ECFA reports on the decision here.
Why You Should Remove Certain Reports from Your Meeting Agenda And how to find which ones don’t need to be presented.
“Why You Should Remove Certain Reports from Your Meeting Agenda: And how to find which ones don’t need to be presented.” Sarah E. Merkle has this post on ManagingYourChurch.
“Catholic priest is (allegedly) an equal opportunity offender, court says, dismissing bias suit”
“Catholic priest is (allegedly) an equal opportunity offender, court says, dismissing bias suit” Robin Shea at Employment & Labor Insider has this summary of a decision involving an allegedly foul-mouthed priest who serves as principal of a Roman Catholic school. The court dismissed defamation, harassment, and discrimination claims against the principal, school, Cardinal TImothy Dolan, the principal’s two alleged “henchmen,” and the Archdiocese of New York. Read the complaint here. Here’s how Shea sums it up: Continue reading ““Catholic priest is (allegedly) an equal opportunity offender, court says, dismissing bias suit””
“A chaplain’s conscience vs. the Bureau of Prisons”
“A chaplain’s conscience vs. the Bureau of Prisons” Justin George has this report on a prison chaplain’s challenge to federal prison policy requiring him to carry pepper spray while on the job.
1740 Responding to allegations of sex abuse
What should you do if a leader of your religious organization is accused of sexual abuse? Assess the facts. Contact and coordinate with law enforcement. Contact denominational leaders. Disclose the facts to the congregation and invite other victims to report. Offer counseling to victims. Call your insurer. Prepare for negative responses and turbulent times. And remember that you’re not alone.
Continue reading “1740 Responding to allegations of sex abuse”
Over Dissent, En Banc Rehearing Denied On Mississippi Conscience Protection Act
“Over Dissent, En Banc Rehearing Denied On Mississippi Conscience Protection Act” Religion Clause reports here on Barber v. Bryant, (5th Cir., Sept. 29, 2017).
“Nuns Lose Challenge To Pipeline”
“Nuns Lose Challenge To Pipeline” Religion Clause reports here on Adorers of the Blood of Christ v. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, (E.D. Pa. Sept. 28, 2017). Lancaster Online reported on it here.