Can former church employer prohibit new job?

[kanthony]

What is the name of your state? Georgia

I am a clergyman in a hierarchtical church, i.e. Roman Catholic, Episcopalian, Orthodox that was under the authority of a local bishop. I served at a church for 3+ years on a part-time basis and was paid a salary. The bishop replaced me with another clergyman and wanted to reassign me to another community 70 miles away, no relocation package and at 1/2 the pay. I refused the reassignment.

I now have another church that is willing to hire me, however, according to my religious tradition the former bishop must "release" me to the new church. I am unable under our church laws/canons to accept the new position without a written release from one bishop to the another bishop who will be accepting me.

In other words, I am being denied the ability to earn a living because of spite. The first bishop has no use for me, yet he will not allow me to serve somewhere else.

Do I have any recourse?

 

[JETX]

Presumably you could 'appeal' to a higher position, couldn't you??

 

[kanthony]

There is no appeal to a higher "earthly" authority. The bishops have absolute authority. The only solution is legal recourse because they too have to answer to the laws of the land.

 

[JETX]

Since there is no intervening authority, your only options are to try to resolve this matter or litigation; however, I am not sure if the court has a right to force the church to take an 'internal' action.

I would suggest you contact a local attorney who could at least review your facts and advise if there is any recourse. And more importantly, how many thousands of $$ you will need to bring a case forward.

 

[kanthony]

This is not an internal matter. It would be one different church organization releasing to another church organization. For example, Russian Orthodox releasing to Romanian Orthodox. These are different non-profit/church entities. The beliefs are the same, however, their administration is different.