U.S. Supreme Court begins new term with religious liberty case

The U.S. Supreme Court began its new term on Oct. 5, with a schedule that includes cases involving religious liberty, guns, immigration, and the environment.

In St. Mary Catholic Parish v. Roy, Catholic preschools are challenging the state of Colorado over participation in a universal preschool program. The program provides up to $6,000 to parents to send their children to a preschool of their choice, including faith-based schools.

Colorado argues the Catholic preschools violate a nondiscrimination rule that prohibits participating schools from refusing admission based on the sexual orientation or gender identity of a child or their family. Mark Rienzi, president and CEO of the religious liberty law firm Becket, said the firm is representing the preschools. Rienzi stated that while the Catholic Church in Colorado and the preschools support the universal nature of the law, Colorado's definition excludes Catholic schools that operate according to teachings on marriage and sex.