Minnesota Supreme Court hears challenge to religious exemption in Catholic school employment dispute
The Tilt · Friday, 11 September 2026
Why it matters
The ruling could define whether Minnesota’s statutory sex and sexual-orientation or gender-identity protections apply differently to employees of religious institutions than to comparable employees of secular employers. It will also determine the legal force of a religious school’s internal gender policy when it conflicts with an employee’s stated transition.
What happened
The Minnesota Supreme Court heard oral arguments on Sept. 1 over a former Academy of Holy Angels employee’s claim that the school and the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis did not renew their contract after they said they intended to undergo a gender transition. The institutions argue that exceptions in the Minnesota Human Rights Act protect religious autonomy and allow religious employers to require adherence to their policies; the employee’s lawyers argue that secular employees should still be protected from discrimination by religious employers. Minnesota Catholic bishops’ 2020 guidance says Catholic schools should treat students consistently with their biological sex and stated religious principles, and a ruling is expected in early 2027.
Previously
2024 — Reyzl Grace MoChridhe sued Academy of Holy Angels and the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis over the nonrenewal of their employment contract, alleging violations of Minnesota protections for sex and sexual orientation or gender identity.(OSV News)
2020 — Minnesota Catholic bishops issued guiding principles for Catholic schools on human sexuality and gender identity, alongside reissued bullying-prevention policies.(OSV News)
Players & places
- St. Paul
- Minnesota Supreme Court
- Academy of Holy Angels
- Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis
- Gender Justice
- Reyzl Grace MoChridhe