A federal judge recently ruled to dismiss a gender discrimination lawsuit brought forth by a professor and minister who lost her campaign to become the first woman to be elected as the senior pastor of the Abyssinian Baptist Church.
Announced on Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Dale Ho agreed to dismiss the case on the grounds that the church is given permission to practice “ministerial exception.” The ministerial exception refers to giving religious organizations protection when employment discrimination claims are made against them. The judge also claimed that there was no evidence to prove the plaintiff, Eboni Marshall Turman, was more qualified than the other finalists, who were men.
The case was brought on by Turman in December 2023. She brought forth the gender discrimination case after not being named a finalist for the position. Turman has played a prominent role in the Abyssinian’s history, breaking barriers as the youngest pastor ordained in the church’s history and serving as the Assistant Minister. She is also an Associate Professor of Theology and African American Religion at Yale University Divinity School.
In a statement shared with AP News, Turman affirmed her interest in filing an appeal, claiming the Abyssinian is “mired in hypocrisy.”
“The case was not dismissed on its merits but on a technicality — religious exception — which contends that the church has a right to discriminate, even though the Bible says, ‘in Christ there is neither male nor female,’” said Turman. “My moral claim still stands: gender discrimination against me or anyone else has no place in God’s house.”
Alongside the case brought on by Turman, the Abyssinian is also facing a pending lawsuit brought on by members who believe the selection of senior pastor- a role now filled by Kevin R. Johnson- has issues with the election violating church rules.
Founded in 1809, the Abyssinian made history as the first Black Baptist church in New York with Rev. John VanVessler leading as the first pastor. Other pastors in the church’s history include Rev. William Spellman, Adam Clayton Powell, Sr and Adam Clayton Powell, Jr.
The Abyssinian has also served as a site for several key moments in history, including Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s 1965 speech for the church’s 157th anniversary.
