Conservative Lutheran Couple in Kindred, North Dakota, Sues ELCA Synod and Norman Lutheran Church Over Alleged Defamation

A conservative Lutheran couple from Kindred, North Dakota, have filed a lawsuit against the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, alleging that they were defamed and discriminated against by their congregation because of their theologically conservative views. Ray and Joan Grabanski filed the suit in Cass County District Court against the ELCA Eastern North Dakota Synod and Norman Evangelical Lutheran Church.

In the suit, the Grabanskis charge that the congregation treated them maliciously after they expressed opposition to gay marriage.

According to the Grand Forks Herald, the couple is seeking approximately $50,000 in alleged damages caused by “defamation and emotional distress,” along with “punitive damages to be possibly pursued later.” The Herald’s Emily Welker reported that the lawsuit says that when the Grabanskis made their views known, they were subjected to “public ridicule, scorn, intimidation, isolation” by church leadership and were told the congregation was too liberal for them.

The lawsuit further alleges that Joan Grabanski was asked to stop teaching Sunday school, and that the couple was told they could leave or be forced out, with church leaders calling them “a cancer.” The suit also alleges that the local synod was aware of the conflict and failed to stop the damaging behavior. These points are allegations in the complaint and have not been adjudicated.

Bishop Terry Brandt of the ELCA synod provided The Christian Post with a statement in which he said he was “deeply saddened by the misunderstanding which has occurred between Norman Lutheran and Ray and Joan Grabanski.” He added, “I am grieved by the fact the Grabanski’s have filed a suit against their own congregation. The court is not the place for church issues to be resolved.” Brandt said he continues to pray for both the congregation and the Grabanskis, “trusting God will bring hope, peace and reconciliation,” a commitment to peacemaking (Matthew 5:9).

The synod referred The Christian Post to its legal counsel, Keith Miller. The lawyer declined to comment on the lawsuit or on the current status of the case.

Source: Read the original report