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A Message from Becket's Executive Director
March 23, 2020
Dear Friend,
We are living through strange times. But rest assured, your team at Becket is still working. We at Becket are privileged to defend religious freedom each day, and today is no different. We are practicing social distancing as is our duty to our nation and our neighbors, but we are also keeping calm and carrying on. The deadlines for filings continue. The lights are on, our ears are hot from long phone calls, and we’re combing our hair (though wearing jeans!) for team video calls.
Even in difficult times, Becket’s mission remains unchanged. Our Supreme Court cases continue and remain as important as ever to our freedom. I do eat, sleep, and dream religious liberty, so it's certain I have not forgotten. But in case you need a refresher, the Supreme Court will hear four Becket cases this year.
The outcomes in these cases speak to all aspects of our First Amendment freedoms:
* Granted for this Term, postponed from April 1 sitting: Our Lady of Guadalupe School v. Morrissey-Berru <[link removed]> and St. James School v. Biel <[link removed]> (consolidated). Do religious schools have the right to choose who is qualified to pass on the faith? Two cases being heard this term place K-8 Catholic schools front and center in the debate on religious autonomy and protecting churches from government intrusion.
* April 29th. The Little Sisters of the Poor v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania <[link removed]>. Are religious exemptions from an overreaching government mandate—the one that would force the Little Sisters of the Poor to dispense abortion-causing drugs—legal?
* This fall. Sharonell Fulton, et al. v. City of Philadelphia <[link removed]>. Can the City of Philadelphia shut down Catholic foster care services because of their religious beliefs about marriage? Parents are waiting to open their doors to children needing loving families but are barred from doing so because they work with a Catholic agency.
I think the new gravity of the Little Sisters’ position speaks perfectly to these times. As they wait for the Supreme Court to hear and decide their case—hopefully, the last time they will ever be in the courts again—they are diligently caring for the elderly poor in a time of heightened risk. The Sisters are currently launching a "protect the vulnerable" campaign <[link removed]> to thank those staying home and to give guidance on how to best help the elderly poor in times of crisis without infecting them. This is what the Sisters were meant to do, and I’m honored to be a part of the team defending them.
And I am sure you are all wondering what is going on with the gathering of all gatherings, our Canterbury Medal Gala <[link removed]>, where we will honor Senator Hatch this year! The short answer is: it's too soon to tell. Although I wish the party that brings people of all faiths (and no faith at all) together was the only thing on everyone’s minds, we are too aware of the crisis facing our nation. We will write to everyone in the next two weeks, but as of now, we are continuing our preparations and hoping to be your first big party of the post-social distancing world!
Stay well and stay hopeful, my friends. We are winning this fight!
Gratefully,
Montse Alvarado
Executive Director
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