Category Archives: Christian Lawsuits

Pastor-Church Conflicts Don’t Belong in Court

October 26, 2019 – 4:02 pm

Sad to read about the ongoing conflict between James Flakes and his former church, New Mt. Vernon Missionary Baptist. Mr. Flakes served as its part-time pastor for several years, until he was terminated in 2017, which he evidently deemed unfair. Rather than resolve their differences within the church, as St. Paul exhorts Christians to do […]

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My Alma Mater is Being Sued

March 16, 2019 – 5:08 pm

I’m saddened by the news that the former president of Saint Mary’s College, Janice Cervelli, is suing the college over what she claims is her forced resignation last fall. Ms. Cervelli had just been installed as president in 2016, after a lengthy national search, and by all accounts she was doing a good job. I […]

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Christian Mediation in Clergy Abuse Cases?

January 9, 2019 – 8:23 pm

Could Christian mediation help with the Catholic Church’s clergy abuse cases? Christian mediation differs from standard mediation in that it consciously incorporates Christian principles into the mediation process, promoting not only resolution of the dispute but also reconciliation of the relationship, to whatever degree is appropriate. Far from settling with a compromise, Christian mediation has […]

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April 7, 2018 – 1:04 pm

At least two federal courts have upheld the enforceability of a dispute resolution clause in a Christian school contract requiring employees to resolve their differences “through Christian mediation, and if necessary, arbitration” rather than in court. One case, Easterly v. Heritage Christian Schools, Inc., 2009 WL 2750099 (S.D. Indiana Aug. 26, 2009), was decided several years ago; […]

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Years of Litigation

August 17, 2016 – 1:02 pm

A 12-year-old Catholic girl goes to confession at her parish church, and tells the priest that she is being fondled by an adult man in the parish. The priest does not report this to anyone. Eventually, it comes to light, but the criminal investigation ends abruptly when the alleged offender dies of a sudden heart […]

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