USCCB Chairman Applauds
U.S. Supreme Court Decision Protecting Religious Liberty
June 26, 2017
WASHINGTON– Today, the U.S. Supreme
Court issued its decision in the case of Trinity Lutheran Church v. Comer,
in which the Court held that the exclusion of churches from an otherwise
available public benefit violates the Free Exercise Clause of the U.S.
Constitution. Trinity Lutheran’s preschool sought to participate in the
State of Missouri’s scrap tire program, which would have allowed it to repave
its playground with recycled tire pieces in order to provide a softer and safer
playground surface for children.
Archbishop William E. Lori of
Baltimore, Chairman of the U.S. Bishops’ Ad Hoc Committee for Religious
Liberty, offered the following statement in response:
“Today’s decision is a landmark
victory for religious freedom. The Supreme Court rightly recognized that people
of faith should not be discriminated against when it comes to government
programs that should be made available to all. The decision also marks a step
in the right direction toward limiting the effects of the pernicious Blaine
Amendments that are in place in many states around the country. Blaine
Amendments to state constitutions, most of which date back to the nineteenth
century, stem from a time of intense anti-Catholic bigotry in many parts of the
country. We are glad to see the Supreme Court move toward limiting these
harmful provisions, which have restricted the freedom of faith-based
organizations and people of faith to serve their communities.”
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Keywords: United States Conference
of Catholic Bishops, USCCB, U.S. Supreme Court, Archbishop William E. Lori,
religious freedom, religious liberty, Trinity Lutheran, Blaine Amendments.
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