Philadelphia violated the Constitution in limiting its job with the bureau, Catholic Social Services, the court said.
“The refusal of Philadelphia to contract with CSS for the provision of foster care services unless it agrees to certify same-sex partners as foster parents cannot survive strict scrutiny, and violates the First Amendment,” Chief Justice John Roberts wrote.
Roberts stated that the team”seeks only an accommodation that will allow it to keep on serving the children of Philadelphia in a manner consistent with its religious beliefs; it does not seek to impose those beliefs on anyone else.”
Catholic Social Services is related to the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
Philadelphia discovered in 2018 from a newspaper reporter that the agency would not certify same-sex partners to become foster parents. The city has said it requires the two dozen-plus foster care agencies it works with to not discriminate as part of their contracts. The town asked the Catholic agency to change its policy, but the group declined. Because of this, Philadelphia stopped talking additional kids to the agency.
Catholic Social Services sued, but reduced courts sided with Philadelphia.
There’s not any record that any alcoholic bunch has ever asked to work together with the bureau. In such a circumstance, the couple would be known to another set, Catholic Social Services has stated. Due to its beliefs, the Catholic agency also doesn’t certify unmarried couples.
A lawyer with The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty who argued on behalf of Catholic Social Services cheered the ruling.
“It’s a beautiful day when the maximum court in the land shields nurture mothers and the 200-year-old religious ministry that supports them” Lori Windham explained in an announcement.
