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USCCB Files Brief in Support of Catholic Preschools in Colorado Case
Confirmed
In Short: The US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has filed an amicus brief with the Supreme Court in support of Catholic preschools in Colorado, which are challenging the state's universal preschool program over nondiscrimination rules.
Colorado's program provides up to about $6,000 to parents to send their children to preschools of their choice, including faith-based schools. However, the state argues that participating schools must not refuse admission based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
In April, the Supreme Court agreed to hear the case after two Catholic parishes in the Archdiocese of Denver, St. Mary in Littleton and another parish, alleged exclusion from the program due to their religious beliefs.
The USCCB argues that if the trend of excluding faith-based organizations continues, it will harm the nation’s social support infrastructure. Catholic charitable organizations provide billions of dollars in services annually, including education, healthcare, and support for the vulnerable.
The brief highlights the importance of Catholic organizations in providing essential services and warns that limiting their ability to partner with state and local governments would have significant negative impacts.
The USCCB's brief was published on the conference’s website on September 8, underscoring the organization's commitment to protecting the rights of faith-based institutions in public programs.
What's confirmed
- However, Colorado has argued the Catholic preschools ran afoul of a nondiscrimination rule in the program that prohibits participating schools from refusing admission to any child on the basis of the sexual orientation and gender identity of the child or the child’s family.
- “If this trend continues, it will impair the ability of Catholic organizations and other faith-based service providers to partner with state and local governments to serve the public. The resulting harm to the nation’s social support infrastructure would be immense. Catholic charitable organizations are a profound force for good. They provide excellent education, heal the sick, care for the vulnerable, and feed the hungry. These and other faith-based organizations collectively provide billions of dollars in services to those in need every year,” the USCCB argued.
- Conference of Catholic Bishops has filed an amicus brief with the U.S.
- Supreme Court in support of a challenge from Catholic preschools regarding their ability to participate in Colorado’s universal preschool program.
- In April, the high court agreed to hear the case after two Catholic parishes with preschools in the Archdiocese of Denver — St.
- Mary in Littleton — alleged the state of Colorado excluded them from participating in the program due to their religious beliefs.
- Roy, concerns a state program that provides funds — up to about $6,000 — to parents to send their child to the preschool of their choice, public or private, including faith-based schools.
- In an amicus brief published on the conference’s website Sept.
What's still developing
- Nothing material beyond the confirmed record.