INTERESTING CASE BEFORE SCOTUS

by Bob Walsh

Today an interesting case from Philadelphia is coming up before SCOTUS that has some wide-ranging implications for religious freedom and LBGTQ rights.

For many years, decades even, Catholic Social Services was one of the most reliable agencies for placement of foster children.  In 2018 the city has stopped using it for foster referrals because the agency will not, as a mater of policy, place children with same-sex couples.  The reason for this decision was the assertion that the agency is thereby discriminating against LGBTQ people.  

The Philly archdiocese sued.  The case went up to the third circuit, which ruled that the agency had "failed to make a persuasive case showing that the city targeted it for its religious beliefs or is motivated by ill will against its religion, rather than sincere opposition to discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation." 

It will be interesting to see what the court does, or even if they do anything.  You might remember they sort-of weasled out on  Colorado wedding cake baker case from 2018.