The case addressed religious liberty versus LGBTQ inclusivity.
In a unanimous decision, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a ruling that upheld the religious rights of a Catholic foster care agency. The agency had stopped receiving referrals from the city of Philadelphia because it refused to include same-sex people looking to serve as foster parents on religious grounds.
Chief Justice John Roberts, writing for six of the justices, said the city’s refusal to contract with the foster care agency unless it agreed to certify same-sex couples as foster parents violated the First Amendment.
Chief Justice Roberts wrote that “it is plain that the city’s actions have burdened CSS’s [Catholic Social Services’] religious exercise by putting it to the choice of curtailing its mission or approving relationships inconsistent with its beliefs.
“CSS 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,” the chief justice stated. “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.”
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- With thanks to God for the Supreme Court upholding the Constitution regarding religious beliefs.
- That God would bless the agencies evaluating families in which to place foster children.
- For God to be with the families who are caring for foster children.
- For safety and healing for the multitudes of children across the country in need of foster homes.
Sources: CBS News, SCOTUS blog, Washington Examiner
