In response to a decision by a French court to award damages to a nun dismissed from her religious order after 34 years of service, the Vatican has lodged a formal protest with the French embassy to the Holy See complaining of violations of religious freedom. The Vatican insists the decision raises “not only questions regarding immunity but, since it regards internal discipline and membership in a religious institute, [it] could also give rise to grave violations of the fundamental right of religious freedom and of the right of free association of Catholic faithful.”