The Center filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in support of Youth 71Five, urging the Court to review the Ninth Circuit decision in Youth 71Five v. Williams. In this case, despite federal law that expressly guarantees the right of religious organizations to have creed requirements for their staff, the state of Oregon […]
In response to the Department of Labor’s Request for Information at 90 FR 57217, the Center submitted a comment letter focused on how the Department of Labor should clarify regulatory language to ensure that faith-based organizations are able to participate as service providers through the Department’s various funding programs without compromising their religious freedom. Most […]
In its opinion of February 3, 2026, the court denied qualified immunity for the individual defendants on the free speech (viewpoint discrimination) and expressive association claims because the law was sufficiently clear but granted qualified immunity on the free exercise, RFRA, and Equal Access Act claims because the law was not sufficiently clear with respect […]
Catholic faithful worldwide have given annually to Peter’s Pence, which directly supports the Pope and his charitable works. David O’Connell filed a class action lawsuit against the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) for fraudulent solicitation of donations, alleging that USCCB misled donors about the use of funds collected for Peter’s Pence. In O’Connell […]
In a highly significant victory, on January 6, 2026, in Union Gospel Mission of Yakima v. Brown, the Ninth Circuit affirmed a lower court’s injunction against the attorney general of the state of Washington, ruling that: “[A] religious institution may decide that its religious mission is best served by hiring only employees who adhere to […]
The Borough of Sayreville, New Jersey, set aside a flagpole for private, non-government speech (thereby making the flagpole a limited public forum) and developed a policy saying citizens could submit flags to be flown for limited periods of time. The borough denied a request by a community member to have a Christian flag flown on […]
Does a state law prohibiting student clubs from meeting on a public school campus because of their views and goals violate the Equal Access Act of 1984, as well as freedom of speech, freedom of expressive association, and due process rights? That is the issue before the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of […]
In late November, the Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued Notice 2025-70, requesting comments on the implementation of a new tax credit for contributions made to Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGOs). The tax credit applies to taxpayers who donate to an SGO that provides scholarships to low- and middle-income families seeking […]
The Wisconsin Supreme Court today held unanimously that Catholic Charities qualifies for a religious tax exemption under state law. The court issued a brief, unsigned order, determining that Catholic Charities “is eligible for the religious purposes exemption.” In doing so, the court rejected the state’s attempt to skirt around a unanimous June 2025 ruling by […]
Today, in Youth 71Five Ministries v. Williams, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals denied Youth 71Five’s motion for en banc reconsideration (i.e., review by a panel of 11 judges). The Center for Law & Religious freedom had filed an amicus brief in support of Youth 71Five’s motion. The Ninth Circuit also issued an amended opinion […]
Christian Legal Society offers legal assistance for those in need through CLS’ network of Christian Legal Aid clinics and Christian Attorneys’ directory. CLS’ Center for Law & Religious Freedom is also available to address issues related to the infringement of religious freedom.