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.
Prince William gave a British restaurant customer the surprise of their life. While on an official visit to the city of Birmingham, William and his wife Kate Middleton stopped by a popular Indian restaurant, and the prince took a call from a customer looking to book a table.
Actor Alicia Silverstone joined Cheddar News to speak with senior reporter Michelle Castillo about the 2023 SXSW premiere of Mustache, which also stars Atharv Verma.
Legendary skateboarder Tony Hawk joined Cheddar News to discuss his recovery from a leg injury ahead of the upcoming X Games in Japan. He also weighed in on a viral meme with Wesley Snipes.
For the first time on the unofficial cannabis holiday 420, cannabis enthusiasts in New York State can purchase their products legally. One of the first licensed adult-use dispensaries across the state was buzzing with business early in the day.
