Man sues Salvation Army in religious discrimination[Catholic passed over for promotion]

The Birmingham News ^ | February 27, 2007 | VAL WALTON

[Alex Murphy]

An Anniston man has filed a federal lawsuit against the Salvation Army, contending he was illegally passed over for a position because he is Catholic.

The suit filed on behalf of Anthony J. Clark contends he sought a social work opening in spring 2005 after already having worked for the Salvation Army for almost two years.

The Salvation Army is a charity that operates as an evangelical effort of Christians. Its Web site says its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs without discrimination.

Salvation Army officials in Anniston declined comment and referred calls to the organization's Jackson, Miss., office.

Mark Jones, a spokesman for the Salvation Army Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi divisional headquarters, said it's the organization's policy not to comment on personnel matters.

The suit said Clark sent a letter to his supervisor on May 17, expressing his interest in filling the position in Anniston. Clark, the suit said, had worked as a part-time social worker from November 2003 to December 2003. He subsequently worked full-time from January 2004 to May 2004 because of another worker's illness.

The suit said despite having three letters of recommendation, another person who had only part-time seasonal experience was hired when a full-time position came open.

The lawsuit said when Clark asked why he wasn't hired, his supervisor, Maj. Larry Hambrick, replied he was not a practicing Christian.

When asked if he was a Christian, Clark said he was a Catholic and was then informed that was why he was not selected for the position, according to the lawsuit. The lawsuit said Clark complained to the Salvation Army's national headquarters, and left the organization on Aug. 19, 2005.

Birmingham lawyer John Saxon called the Salvation Army a wonderful organization that does faith-related work. But Saxon said the social work position was a non-ministerial position.

"They are not exempt from civil rights laws," Saxon said.

[technochick99]

Yes, of course, a Catholic Christian.

An important part of communication is replying back to another person in their language, and effectively transmitting what you wish to convey.

[P-Marlowe]

Why can't you just say yes?

[technochick99]

Because this is not an interrogation.

[P-Marlowe]

In other words, you can't say yes to the question "Are you a Christian".

Seems to be a problem with Catholics in general.

[NYer]

No, all Christian Churches are part of the catholic church, just not part of the Roman Catholic branch of the catholic church.

Another great misperception regarding the One, Holy, Catholic Church. Although it is not widely known in our Western world, the Catholic Church is actually a communion of Churches. According to the Constitution on the Church of the Second Vatican Council, Lumen Gentium, the Catholic Church is understood to be "a corporate body of Churches," united with the Pope of Rome, who serves as the guardian of unity (LG, no. 23). At present there are 22 Churches that comprise the Catholic Church. The new Code of Canon Law, promulgated by Pope John Paul II, uses the phrase "autonomous ritual Churches" to describe these various Churches (canon 112). Each Church has its own hierarchy, spirituality, and theological perspective. Because of the particularities of history, there is only one Western Catholic Church, while there are 22 Eastern Catholic Churches. The Western Church, known officially as the Latin Church, is the largest of the Catholic Churches. It is immediately subject to the Roman Pontiff as Patriarch of the West. The Eastern Catholic Churches are each led by a Patriarch, Major Archbishop, or Metropolitan, who governs their Church together with a synod of bishops. Through the Congregation for Oriental Churches, the Roman Pontiff works to assure the health and well-being of the Eastern Catholic Churches.

While this diversity within the one Catholic Church can appear confusing at first, it in no way compromises the Church's unity. In a certain sense, it is a reflection of the mystery of the Trinity. Just as God is three Persons, yet one God, so the Church is 22 Churches, yet one Church.

To learn more about the "two lungs" of the Catholic Church, visit this link:

CATHOLIC RITES AND CHURCHES

[Running On Empty]

"Seems to be a problem with Catholics in general."

I don't think so, P-M. That's a stretch. When one speaks "in general", it's to convey the macro picture and in the macro picture, Catholics know they are Christian.

Speaking in a micro sense, there may be a relatively small number, as in any faith profession, who don't give it much thought.

It doesn't work to use "in general" as a broad brush, when evidence is lacking.

[Conservative til I die]

Your line of reasoning is embarassing, and is a transparent game you're playing. For what purpose, I don't know. Maybe you're trying to trip us up into admitting we really aren't Christians? I guess the jig is up!

The only reasons an employer (or anyone else) could misconstrue "I'm Catholic" as meaning "I'm not a Christian" are:

A) They're so ignorant that they don't know that Catholicism is part of mainstream Christianity

B) They're an absolute moron

C) They do know what Catholicism is, and for theological reasons, they consider Catholics not to be Christians.

.

Now, I have to give the Salvation Army man the benefit of the doubt on A and B, since I would assume he wouldn't be in charge if he were a moron and that being a religious man in the USA, I'm sure he's familiar with what the religion called "Catholicism" is.

So I'm going with C, that he doesn't believe Catholics are real Christians.

Mind you I'm only working under the assumption that the allegation is true. It may not be.

[P-Marlowe]

Are you a Christian?

[Conservative til I die]

Yes. Happy now? What are you, the inquisitor?

[P-Marlowe]

Yes. Happy now? What are you, the inquisitor?

Thank you for your response. However, I do sense a bit of an attitude in your response that is not really conducive to the goals of our ministry.

I think we will have to pass you over for this promotion. Thank you for your time. Try again next year.

Next!

[blue-duncan]

"Constitution on the Church of the Second Vatican Council, Lumen Gentium"

November 21, 1964 is a far cry from the early church of the 1st century.

[NYer]

November 21, 1964 is a far cry from the early church of the 1st century.

Your sense of humor is so subtle :-)

Heeding the message of Jesus to "Go therefore and teach all nations" [Matthew 28:19-20], the Apostles travelled to all parts of the known world to spread Christianity. James stayed in Jerusalem, but Peter and Paul first went to Antioch [Galatians 2:11]. Peter then went to Rome, while Paul made three missionary journeys from Antioch [Acts], visiting many places, "as far round as Illyricum" [Romans 15:19], and then ended up imprisoned in Rome [Acts 28:11-31].

Mark, who became the Gospel writer, traveled with Paul and Barnabas, and then went to Rome to help Peter; but it was Peter who was especially fond of him, calling Mark his son [1 Peter 5:13]. Mark later founded Christianity in Alexandria.

Tradition has it that Matthew as well went to Antioch and wrote his Gospel there; Andrew crossed Asia Minor to Byzantium; Bartholomew and Jude Thaddeus brought the faith to Armenia; and Thomas traveled through Chaldea all the way to India!

Early Christianity, in spite of persecution, fluorished primarily in five centers: Jerusalem, Antioch, Rome, Alexandria, and Byzantium. The five centers became Patriarchates, when Constantine recognized Christianity in the Edict of Milan in 313. The Eastern Catholic Churches originate from the three Eastern centers of Antioch, Alexandria, and Byzantium, while the Western Latin rite originates from Rome.

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