Yesterday, the Supreme Court of the United States issued a unanimous decision in Fulton v. Philadelphia, a case involving Catholic Social Services (CSS) and their efforts to care for foster children. The City of Philadelphia had banned the faith-based agency from providing services after CSS declined to place children with LGBT couples or individuals, citing God’s design for the family.
The vote was 9-0, with ALL justices – including liberals Sotomayor, Kagan, and Breyer! – siding with religious liberty on Chief Justice Roberts’ majority opinion.
“[Catholic Social Services] seeks only an accommodation that will allow it to continue serving the children of Philadelphia in a manner consistent with its religious beliefs; it does not seek to impose those beliefs on anyone else,” wrote Chief Justice Roberts, in his majority opinion. “The refusal of Philadelphia to contract with CSS for the provision of foster care services unless it agrees to certify same-sex couples as foster parents cannot survive strict scrutiny and violates the First Amendment.
He went on to write that “[Philadelphia] offers no compelling reason why it has a particular interest in denying an exception to CSS while making them available to others.”
My friend Hugh Hewitt also praised the ruling. Specifically, Hugh reminded Christian leaders that today’s victory is a direct result of refusing to bow down to unconstitutional government mandates:
Despite initially rejecting efforts to protect religious liberty from government overreach early into the COVID-19 lockdowns, the high Court increasingly sided with people of faith since the addition of Justice Amy Coney Barrett late last year. This latest victory for the Free Exercise of Religion shows that the Court and its members refuse to penalize people of faith who refuse to kneel to the prevailing cultural views on family or sexuality.
CFC applauds this firm decision from SCOTUS. Politicians in Sacramento would do well to remember that the First Amendment is alive and well, and it applies to the Golden State every bit as much as the City of Brotherly Love.
My team and I will continue to fight for every Californian’s right to live out their faith according to their Biblical beliefs. We appreciate your prayers and generous financial support!
