Black v. Snyder , 471 N.W.2d 715 ( 1991 )

OPINION

LANSING, Judge.

A pastor challenges the dismissal, on first amendment grounds, of her breach of contract, sexual harassment, reprisal, retaliation, and defamation claims against her former employer, the church. We affirm in part, reverse in part, and remand.

FACTS

In 1989 Susan Black was hired as an associate pastor at St. John’s Lutheran Church of Washburn Park (the church), a local congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (the synod). In April 1990, Black filed a discrimination charge against her supervising pastor, William Snyder, with the Minnesota Department of Human Rights. The claim alleged that Snyder repeatedly made unwelcome sexual advances toward her including referring to the two of them as “lovers,” physically contacting her in a sexual manner, and insisting on her companionship outside the work place, despite her objections. Black had informed the church council, members of the “call” and “personnel” committees, and the synod of Snyder’s behavior before communicating with the Human Rights Department. Although the church and synod investigated Black’s complaint, no affirmative steps were taken to stop the alleged harassment.

Less than three months after her report to the Human Rights Department, the church held a congregational meeting at which it voted to discharge Black. The reason stated for discharge was Black’s “inability to conduct the pastoral office efficiently in this congregation in view of local conditions.”

Black sued the church, the synod, and Snyder, stating five causes of action: sexual harassment and retaliation under Minn. Stat. ch. 363 (Minnesota Human Rights Act); breach of contract; defamation; and wrongful termination under Minn.Stat. § 181.932 (“whistle blower” provision). She sought damages and injunctive relief ordering public admission of the wrongfulness of her discharge and cleansing of her personnel record.

Snyder and the church moved to dismiss for lack of subject-matter jurisdiction and for Black’s failure to state a cognizable defamation claim. Concluding that the church’s first amendment rights precluded Black’s suit, the trial court granted the church’s dismissal motion but denied Snyder’s, ordering instead that Black amend her complaint to clarify the claims against Snyder. Black appeals, challenging the dismissal of her suit against the church.

ISSUES

1. Does the first amendment to the United States Constitution prohibit judicial consideration of Black’s claims?

2. Does the Minnesota Constitution preclude Black’s sexual harassment claim against the church?

ANALYSIS

The church submitted documentary evidence in its motion to dismiss. The court’s failure to exclude these materials effectively converted the motion into one for summary judgment. See Minn.R.Civ.P. 12.02; Johnson v. Edwards, 467 N.W.2d 333 (Minn.App.1991). Whether treated as a rule 12 dismissal or a summary judgment, however, the specific issues for review are questions of law: whether the religious freedoms guaranteed by the United States or Minnesota Constitutions preclude the court from adjudicating Black’s claims.

I

In dismissing Black’s suit against the church, the trial court concluded that reviewing matters of church administration and governance would interfere with the church’s free exercise of religion and create an excessive governmental entanglement with religion. Its decision implicates two related but distinct concerns of first amendment law that require separate analysis.

A

The first amendment to the United States Constitution prohibits Congress from interfering with the free exercise of religion. U.S. Const, amend. I. This proscription applies to the states by virtue of the fourteenth amendment. Employment Div., Dep't of Human Resources of Oregon v. Smith, — U.S.-, 110 S.Ct. 1595, 108 L.Ed.2d 876 (1990) (citing Cantwell v. Connecticut, 310 U.S. 296, 303, 60 S.Ct. 900, 903, 84 L.Ed. 1213 (1940)). The free exercise clause affords an absolute right to hold religious beliefs of whatever nature; however, it does not absolutely protect religiously based conduct. See Smith at-, 110 S.Ct. at 1599.

To determine the constitutionality of a regulation burdening the free exercise of religion, courts traditionally required that the regulation serve a “compelling state interest” that outweighed the detrimental impact on religious practice. See, e.g., Bob Jones University v. United States, 461 U.S. 574, 603-04, 103 S.Ct. 2017, 2034-35, 76 L.Ed.2d 157 (1983); State by McClure v. Sports & Health Club, Inc., 370 N.W.2d 844, 851 (Minn.1985). Courts also examined whether the governmental interest could be achieved through alternative, less restrictive regulation. See, e.g., Thomas v. Review Bd. of Indiana Employment Sec. Div., 450 U.S. 707, 718, 101 S.Ct. 1425, 1432, 67 L.Ed.2d 624 (1981); Sports & Health Club, 370 N.W.2d at 851.

Applying this compelling-interest analysis, several circuit courts upheld dismissals of suits brought by clergy against their supervisors and church employers. See Minker v. Baltimore Annual Conf. of United Methodist Church, 894 F.2d 1354 (D.C.Cir.1990); Rayburn v. General Conf. of Seventh-Day Adventists, 772 F.2d 1164 (4th Cir.1985), cert, denied, 478 U.S. 1020, 106 S.Ct. 3333, 92 L.Ed.2d 739 (1986); McClure v. Salvation Army, 460 F.2d 553 (5th Cir.), cert. denied, 409 U.S. 896, 93 S.Ct. 132 (1972); see also Scharon v. St. Luke’s Episcopal Presbyterian Hospitals, 929 F.2d 360 (8th Cir. 1991) (dismissing chaplain’s age and gender discrimination claims against a church-affiliated hospital). The courts reviewing these challenges to church appointments and discharges reasoned that because evaluation of a minister’s qualifications or fitness to preach is inherently a matter of ecclesiastical concern, merely maintaining a suit would have an unduly coercive effect on the church’s free exercise rights. See, e.g., Minker, 894 F.2d at 1357.

The Supreme Court’s most recent free exercise decision, Employment Div., Dep’t of Human Resources of Oregon v. Smith, — U.S.-, 110 S.Ct. 1595, 108 L.Ed.2d 876 (1990), effected a significant change in first amendment law. Stressing that an individual’s religious beliefs may not excuse compliance with an otherwise valid law prohibiting conduct that the state is free to regulate, the Supreme Court allowed the withholding of unemployment benefits from plaintiffs who had been fired for ingesting peyote during religious ceremonies. Id. at-, 110 S.Ct. at 1606. An individual cannot seek first amendment exemption from a neutral law of general applicability, the Court held, “on the ground that the law proscribes (or prescribes) conduct that his religion prescribes (or proscribes).” Id. at -, 110 S.Ct. at 1600 (citation omitted).

Although governmental classifications based on religion must still be justified by a compelling state interest, the Smith majority rejected this analysis for burdens on religious practices imposed by facially neutral laws. Id. at-, 110 S.Ct. at 1604 n. 3. The requirement of a compelling state interest is confined to laws that expressly mandate or prohibit religious beliefs or religiously based conduct and to “hybrid” cases alleging violations of the free exercise clause and another constitutional right, such as freedom of speech or of the press. See Smith at-,-, 110 S.Ct. at 1599, 1601; see also Cornerstone Bible Church v. City of Hastings, 740 F.Supp. 654, 669-70 (D.Minn.1990) (finding neither exception applicable to church’s challenge to zoning ordinance).

Black’s claims are not based on laws that expressly mandate or prohibit religious conduct or beliefs, or involve additional constitutional rights. The claims under the Human Rights Act and section 181.-932 are based on statutes that are otherwise valid, generally applicable, and facially neutral. See, e.g., Sports & Health Club, 370 N.W.2d at 851. Consistent with Smith, proceeding on these claims does not violate the church’s free exercise rights. Similarly, Minnesota’s decisional law relating to breach of contract and defamation are content neutral, and the free exercise clause does not prohibit their application to most employment relationships of religious organizations.

B

The second prong of first amendment religious freedom prohibits the making of laws “respecting an establishment of religion.” U.S. Const. amend. 1. To be valid under the establishment clause, a governmental regulation must (1) have a secular purpose; (2) neither advance nor inhibit religion in its primary effect; and (3) not foster excessive governmental entanglement with religion. Lemon v. Kurtzman, 403 U.S. 602, 612-13, 91 S.Ct. 2105, 2111, 29 L.Ed.2d 745 (1971). Only the issue of excessive entanglement is disputed in this case.

Whether governmental regulation creates excessive entanglement typically depends on the character and purpose of the institution involved, the nature of the regulation’s intrusion into religious administration, and the resulting relationship between the government and the religious authority. See Lemon at 614-15, 91 S.Ct. at 2112. When claims involve “core” questions of church discipline and internal governance, the Supreme Court has acknowledged that the inevitable danger of governmental entanglement precludes judicial review. See Serbian Eastern Orthodox Diocese v. Milivojevich, 426 U.S. 696, 717, 721, 96 S.Ct. 2372, 2384, 2386, 49 L.Ed.2d 151 (1976). See generally L. Tribe, American Constitutional Law § 14-11 (2d ed. 1988) (identifying several doctrines of entanglement).

Relying on Milivojevich, the federal courts have refrained from enforcing litigants’ claims that require “a searching and therefore impermissible inquiry into church doctrine.” See Minker, 894 F.2d at 1359-60 (quoting Milivojevich 426 U.S. at 723, 96 S.Ct. at 2387). Inquiry into a church’s reasons for rejecting an individual for pastorship, even for the purpose of showing pretext, would cause excessive entanglement. See Minker, 894 F.2d at 1360-61. However, when the pastor’s claims do not require such inquiry, but may be resolved by relying on “neutral methods of proof,” the first amendment does not prevent judicial review. See id. at 1361 (deciding pastor’s breach of oral contract claim would not necessarily entangle court in matters of church governance or doctrine).

Black’s breach of contract, retaliation, and statutory “whistle blower” claims relate specifically to factors of her appointment as an associate pastor and discharge. These claims are fundamentally connected to issues of church doctrine and governance and would require court review of the church’s motives for discharging Black. Regardless of the laws’ purposes or primary effects, both Milivojevich and Lemon require dismissal of these claims.

Black’s defamation claim is based on the church’s stated reason for her discharge as “inability to conduct her ministry efficiently.” This claim would require a similar review of the church’s reasons for discharging Black, an essentially ecclesiastical concern. We disagree with the trial court’s alternative ground for dismissal, that the claim was inadequately pleaded. The characterization of the alleged defamation was sufficient without specifying the date, time, or place of the alleged publications. See Minn.R.Civ.P. 9.06 (averments of time and place are material but not affirmatively required); Minn.R.Civ.P. 8.01 (requiring a short statement of claim entitling pleader to relief). The impermissible entanglement of doctrinal and disciplinary issues, however, is sufficient to support the dismissal of this claim, and the corresponding request for injunctive relief.

Black’s discharge by congregational vote, rather than by the synod itself, does not undermine the doctrinal connection. The congregational vote was conducted according to church procedure established in its constitution. Although deference is traditionally afforded to decisions of a hierarchical church’s highest authority, see Milivojevich 426 U.S. at 718, 96 S.Ct. at 2384, the prohibition against litigating matters at the core of a church’s religious practice requires dismissal of Black’s discharge-related claims.

Black’s remaining claim for sexual harassment is based on predischarge conduct by Snyder and the church. She claims that Snyder’s conduct created a hostile work environment, which the church failed to prevent or to remedy, and that these conditions violated the Human Rights Act.

We recognize that sexual discrimination inheres in the pastoral appointments of some churches and has been granted, in effect, a constitutional exemption under both the free exercise and establishment clauses. However, no court has extended a similar protection over sexual harassment claims based on conduct during the employment relationship. Black’s sexual harassment claim is unrelated to pastoral qualifications or issues of church doctrine. Because she does not seek reinstatement but only monetary damages, any prospective remedy would not require extensive court oversight. See Minker, 894 F.2d at 1360 (nonintrusive remedy of monetary damages would avoid excessive entanglement on trial of plaintiffs oral contract claim).

The establishment clause is not an automatic barrier to governmental regulation. See Tony & Susan Alamo Foundation v. Sec’y of Labor, 471 U.S. 290, 105 S.Ct. 1953, 1963-64, 85 L.Ed.2d 278 (1985) (applying FLSA to religious foundation); Salvation Army v. New Jersey Dep’t of Community Affairs, 919 F.2d 183 (3rd Cir. 1990) (applying state building regulations to religious organization). Excessive entanglement is, ultimately, a question of degree. See Walz v. Tax Comm’n of the City of New York, 397 U.S. 664, 674, 90 S.Ct. 1409, 1414, 25 L.Ed.2d 697 (1970). Permitting Black’s claim to go forward presents no greater conflict with the church’s disciplinary authority than that presented in cases enforcing child abuse laws. See, e.g., State v. Motherwell, 114 Wash.2d 353, 788 P.2d 1066, 1073-74 (1990) (conviction of religious counselors for failure to comply with child abuse reporting statute did not violate establishment clause). We hold, therefore, that the first amendment does not bar Black from litigating her sexual harassment claim.

II

Our conclusion that the United States Constitution does not prohibit trial of Black’s sexual harassment claim compels review of the scope of this state’s own constitutional protections. Article I, section 16 of the Minnesota Constitution prohibits state interference with “freedom of conscience” and requires a weighing of competing interests whenever such rights are burdened. State v. Hershberger, 462 N.W.2d 393, 398 (Minn.1990); State by Cooper v. French, 460 N.W.2d 2, 9 (Minn.), reh’g denied (Oct. 8, 1990). The constitution permits consideration only of interests implicating “the peace or safety of the state.” Minn. Const. art. I, § 16; French, 460 N.W.2d at 9. Even when the state establishes a compelling interest, its regulation must be shown to be the least restrictive alternative for preserving both the governmental and religious interests involved. Hershberger, 462 N.W.2d at 398-99.

We are unpersuaded that enforcing the Human Rights Act’s harassment prohibitions would actually burden the church’s religious practices, in light of the church’s own policy against such conduct. Even if this regulation would incidentally burden religious activity or belief, Black is entitled to assert this claim because the state’s interest in eradicating sexual harassment in the work place is compelling, see Sports & Health Club, 370 N.W.2d at 854, and we perceive no adequate, less restrictive alternative to enforcement.

DECISION

Federal constitutional prohibitions on excessive entanglement with internal church affairs prohibits judicial review of Black’s discharge-related claims. However, because Black’s sexual harassment claim does not involve scrutiny of church doctrine, interfere in matters of an inherently ecclesiastical nature, or infringe upon the church’s religious practice, we reverse the trial court’s dismissal of this claim.

Affirmed in part, reversed in part, and remanded.