In what may be the first in a series of test cases, a MA state judge has ruled that a Catholic school discriminated against a gay man when it rescinded a job offer after learning he was in a same-sex marriage. Judge Wilkins said Fontbonne Catholic School could claim a religious exemption to the state anti-discrimination law only if it limited “membership, enrollment, or participation” to members of one religion. The school, however, is open to students and employees of all faiths, except for members of its administration, theology faculty, and mission and ministry staff, he wrote. [Note the presuppositions regarding religion as public or private and the implications for mission.] For a followup commentary, see GetReligion
