Supreme Court appears likely to side with Catholic Church and Trump in key religious exemption case

The Supreme Court appeared likely to side with a Wisconsin-based Catholic Charities group in its battle against the government over a state ruling that they claim distorts and undermines their mission of caring for the sick and poor. The Trump Justice Department has backed the charity, arguing that exemptions in federal tax laws, like the Wisconsin tax law, protect the rights of religious institutions.

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Superior, Wisconsin, is challenging a decision by the Wisconsin Supreme Court that denied them an exemption from the state’s unemployment payment program. The court ruled that because the group does not engage in “typical” religious activities and serves non-Catholics without attempting to convert them, they are not eligible for the exemption.

However, Catholic Charities argues that their core religious practice involves helping the disabled, elderly, and those in poverty, regardless of their faith. They believe that their work is an essential part of their religious beliefs and should qualify for the exemption.

During the Supreme Court hearing, the group’s attorney, Eric Rassbach, emphasized that Catholic teaching prohibits conditioning assistance on acceptance of the church’s teachings. He argued that the Wisconsin Supreme Court’s interpretation of the state law’s religious exemption was flawed, as it favored traditional religious activities and excluded charitable work as a religious practice.

The justices seemed inclined to agree that the state had unnecessarily entangled itself in defining what constitutes religious behavior. They questioned whether it was appropriate for the state to differentiate between religious organizations based on their activities and whether such actions violated the First Amendment.

Even the liberal justices on the court expressed concerns about Wisconsin’s ruling, emphasizing the need to treat all religions equally and avoid entanglement in religious doctrine. They questioned the state’s criteria for determining religious behavior and its implications for religious freedom.

Following the hearing, Catholic Charities expressed confidence that the Supreme Court would uphold their freedom to serve based on their Catholic faith. They believe that the state’s denial of their religious exemption undermines their ability to care for the most vulnerable and distorts the essence of their mission.

Bishop James Powers of the Catholic Diocese of Superior criticized Wisconsin for penalizing Catholic Charities for their compassionate work, emphasizing that their assistance is driven by Christian love, not religious affiliation. He highlighted the organization’s commitment to helping those in need, regardless of their faith, echoing the example of the Good Samaritan.

In conclusion, the Supreme Court’s decision in this case will have significant implications for religious freedom and charitable work. Catholic Charities is hopeful that the court will recognize the importance of their mission and uphold their right to serve the community based on their religious beliefs.