Breaking News! SCOTUS Rules in Key Pennsylvania Religious Liberty Case

Dear Friend,

I am glad to bring you this breaking news – a unanimous U.S. Supreme Court ruling in the case Fulton v. City of Philadelphia that restores the right of Catholic Social Services to provide foster care and adoption services that align with its religious doctrine and convictions.

In 2018, city officials banned this charity from placing children for foster care and adoption services because of its refusal to place children with same-sex couples.

Our Independence Law Center filed an amicus (friend of the court) brief to the Supreme Court in this case on behalf of 15 Pennsylvania State Senators, detailing the history of religious liberty in Pennsylvania and America, and how the actions of Philadelphia violated those principles.

Randall Wenger, Chief Counsel of Pennsylvania Family Institute and the Independence Law Center, made the following statement in response to the high court’s ruling:

We’re pleased with the Supreme Court’s unanimous decision that respects the religious liberty of Catholic Social Services (CSS) to continue to serve its historic mission and the children of Philadelphia. Today’s decision will ultimately benefit needy children in Philadelphia, who can now get the compassionate and quality care that CSS provided until the harmful and discriminatory actions by Philadelphia city officials.

The city of Philadelphia took its action against Catholic Social Services at a time when the need for foster parents was at a crisis level. We are grateful the Supreme Court is restoring opportunities for more parents and children in Philadelphia and beyond.

While the ruling was unanimous, there were several concurring opinions from the Justices along with the majority opinion. Our legal team is reviewing those opinions now, and we will soon post further analysis on our website, and in our Family Update email, which is delivered every Friday.

This is another example of why I am grateful for your support of the Pennsylvania Family Institute and our Independence Law Center, as we work for a Pennsylvania where God is honored, religious freedom flourishes, families thrive and life is cherished.

Blessings,

Michael Geer
President
Pennsylvania Family Institute

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