News Release: Catholic Conference Praises Unanimous SCOTUS Fulton Decision to Protect Religious Liberty, Expresses Gratitude for Mission of Catholic Charities to Serve Others

(Lansing, Mich.) — Today the U.S. Supreme Court ruled unanimously 9–0 in Fulton vs. City of Philadelphia that faith-based agencies providing child placement services in the public square with fidelity to their religious teachings are constitutional exercises and, as such, may continue providing those services within their faith tradition. Michigan Catholic Conference is praising the Court’s protection of religious liberty rights and is grateful for the work of faith-based agencies, Catholic Charities in particular, for their Gospel-mandated mission to exercise their ‘love of neighbor’ toward poor and vulnerable persons.

“The exercise of Christian charity in the public square is healthy both for souls and for communities alike. Acts of kindness and service born out of Christ’s command to love our neighbor inform charitable works, particularly for the benefit of the poor and those in need. We applaud today’s unanimous ruling from the nation’s highest court to protect religious liberty rights and the presence of Catholic institutions in the public square,” said David Maluchnik, MCC Vice President for Communications.

“The Court’s ruling in Fulton is a reminder that, as the history of this state and nation commenced, religious orders and missionary clergy began formation of what is now, aside from the government, the country’s largest provider of health care, education, child placement services, and humanitarian aid for refugees, the homeless and hungry, and many other vulnerable populations. Faith-based aid providers and employees carry out their works of charity and love because it is compelled by faith and service toward others. Religiously affiliated adoption and foster care providers are leaders in their communities and the best in their field. For over 80 years, their services have been provided in Michigan with collaboration from state agencies to help foster children move into permanent homes and families.

“Today’s unanimous ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court, which should support upholding the Michigan child placement policy enacted in 2015 that protects religious liberty rights and diversity in child placement, recognizes that Catholic humanitarian aid and child placement providers are good for communities.”

Michigan Catholic Conference is the official public policy voice of the Catholic Church in this state.

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