The Supreme Court ruled on Thursday that the city of Philadelphia violated the Constitution by limiting its relationship with a Catholic foster care agency over the group's refusal to certify same-sex couples as foster parents.
The justices came down unanimously against Philadelphia and for Catholic Social Services.
“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,” Chief Justice John Roberts wrote.
Catholic Social Services is affiliated with the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. The agency has said that its Catholic beliefs prevent it from certifying same-sex couples as foster parents.
Philadelphia learned in 2018 from a newspaper reporter that the agency would not work with same-sex couples. The city has said it requires that the two dozen-plus foster care agencies it works with not to discriminate as part of their contracts. The city asked the Catholic agency to change its policy, but the group declined. As a result, Philadelphia stopped referring additional children to the agency.
Catholic Social Services sued, but lower courts sided with Philadelphia.
One especially enthusiastic dog, named Fuzzybear, is gung-ho about getting his North Carolina owner's mail, darting across the lawn when the mail truck arrives and carrying back a mouthful of envelopes.
Cheddar's own Shannon LaNier visited The Paris Café at the South Street Seaport in downtown Manhattan to get a taste of the perfect Mother's Day brunch and sample the historic brasserie's DIY flower bar.
Cheddar's own Shannon LaNier visited The Paris Café at the South Street Seaport in downtown Manhattan to get a taste of the perfect Mother's Day brunch and sample the historic brasserie's DIY flower bar.
Cheddar recommends "Dear Mama," "Dead Ringers," "Jury Duty," "Elton John Live: Farewell from Dodger Stadium," and "Guardians of the Galaxy" collection.
