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A Message from Becket's Executive Director
June 17, 2021
Dear Friend,
Today, the Supreme Court issued a stunning victory for religious liberty. In a 9-0 decision authored by Chief Justice Roberts, the Court made an important statement about religious liberty in America: it's a cherished freedom that everyone, democrat or republican, can get behind. The decision, which included two separate concurrences and no dissents, protects Catholic Social Services from exclusion. The UNANIMOUS Supreme Court said that "the City's actions have burdened CSS's religious exercise by putting it to the choice of curtailing its mission or approving relationships inconsistent with its beliefs."
I can't overstate the magnitude of this unanimous win; because of the Court's decision, a highly respected organization will be able to continue the good work it has done for children and families in Philadelphia for over 200 years. Dozens of foster families will finally be free to take in children who have been waiting in group homes, some of them for years. And across the country, faith-based foster and adoption agencies can breathe a sigh of relief, knowing that our nation's highest court has protected their right to continue serving those in need without surrendering their religious beliefs.
From the unanimous 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."
One of our clients, Toni Simms-Busch, said it herself <[link removed]> on our press call today, sharing her joy with the over 100 journalists that called in to discuss the victory:
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Believe it or not, that's still not all this ruling will accomplish. This is a victory for faith-based adoption agencies, no doubt, but it will also strengthen protections for other institutions of faith. The Court ruled that cities cannot abruptly cut off contracts with religious groups simply because of their religious beliefs. This seems like common sense, but it's a huge statement in our current day and age. Our culture has become one where dissent from a prevailing viewpoint--like that on marriage--results in being "canceled." This Fulton victory proves that there is a limit to cancel culture, and that we still have much work to do.
Your support made this victory possible. Everything we win, we win together.
Here's our press release from this morning, and a few other things:
PRESS RELEASE <[link removed]>
VICTORY VIDEO: Victory in Fulton v. City of Philadelphia <[link removed]>
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OPINION FROM THE COURT <[link removed]> (read it yourself!)
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Quotes from the Experts <[link removed]>
Gratefully,
Montse Alvarado
Executive Director
How Can You Show Your Support?
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P.S. Follow me on Twitter at @Mmontsealvarado.
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