Supreme Court to decide if serving the needy is religious

The Supreme Court will decide whether Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Superior’s care for the poor, the elderly, and the disabled is part of its religious mission. In Catholic Charities Bureau v. Wisconsin Labor & Industry Review Commission, the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled 4-3 earlier this year that Catholic Charities’ service to the poor and needy was not “typical” religious activity. This means that Catholic Charities is prevented from leaving the state’s unemployment compensation program and joining the Wisconsin Catholic Church’s own program. The Court granted Becket’s cert petition on behalf of Catholic Charities just in time for Christmas and Hanukkah! Oral argument will likely be scheduled in the spring. 

In lieu of its annual Ebenezer Award and in the spirit of hope, Becket is happy to announce its inaugural Tiny Tim Toast, offered to an individual or group who inspires hope and perseverance in the face of adversity during the Christmas and Hanukkah season. This year’s winner is a group of citizens in Sweetwater, Texas, who fought to keep a Nativity scene at their local county courthouse after a complaint called on the government to take it down.

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