WASHINGTON (BP) — The U.S. Supreme Court has paused part of its work in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) with decisions in important cases regarding religious liberty, sexuality and abortion still to be announced. The high court announced March 16 it has postponed oral arguments scheduled for March 23-25 and March 30-April 1 to abide by recommendations offered in response to the continuing spread of the coronavirus. The court said it would study the alternatives for rescheduling arguments based on developments with the virus. The Supreme Court building has been closed since March 12 to protect the health and safety of employees and the public. Oral arguments that will produce an important church-state ruling are among those to be delayed. The consolidated cases of Our Lady of Guadalupe School v. Morrissey-Berru and St. James School v. Biel find the high court considering again the freedom of churches and other religious organizations to make employment decisions without government interference. In a unanimous decision eight years ago, the Supreme Court ruled a "ministerial exception" exists that enables churches and other religious groups to hire and fire based on their beliefs. The now-postponed cases before the high court also involve the termination […]
