Assembly of Bishops Supports Amicus Brief in Catholic Charities v. Wisconsin | Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America

View Original Article on the Assembly of Bishops Website

Wednesday, February 05, 2025

NEW YORK – The Assembly of Bishops signed on to an Amicus “friend of the court” brief to support what is being called one of the most important “church autonomy” cases of this century – Catholic Charities v Wisconsin, currently pending before the US Supreme Court. 

The case derived from an attempt by the state of Wisconsin – in deciding whether to grant a tax exemption to a Catholic Charities entity – to second-guess various religion-based decisions of the diocese to which that bureau belongs.  Wisconsin alleges that even though Catholic Charities is a subdivision of the Diocese, it is not a religious organization because, among other things, its employment and ministries are “open to all participants regardless of religion.” This inquiry is barred by the First Amendment and the “church autonomy” doctrine prevent the government and courts from intruding into religious determinations and practices.

This friend of the court brief is the most recent effort of the Assembly of Bishops to further its particular interest of safeguarding the liberty of all Americans to practice their faith.

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