(Source: MIRS.news, Published 12/06/22) A Catholic Church in St. Johns is challenging the Michigan Supreme Court's ruling that expanded the Elliott Larsen Civil Rights Act to include sexual orientation and gender identity on the grounds that it discriminates against its religious beliefs.
St. Joseph Parish said the ruling conflicts with the Catholic church's 2,000-year-old teaching that marriage is a lifelong commitment between one man and one woman.
Under the Supreme Court's ruling, St. Joseph Church claims it will no longer be able to hire employees who strictly abide by the church's code of conduct to "not teach, advocate, model or in any way encourage beliefs or behaviors that are contrary to the teaching of the Catholic Church.
Also at stake is the church's ability to rent out its facilities like its gymnasium and soccer fields.
St. Joseph may be held liable for discrimination whenever biologically male students identify as female and want to use the female locker rooms. The church is also concerned it will be sued for denying a same-sex couple use of its hall for a wedding reception.
"Saint Joseph parish exists to pass on the Catholic faith to the next generation and to accomplish that mission, it asks all its staff to uphold the Catholic faith in word and deed, both at the parish and its elementary school," said Lori Windham, vice president and senior counsel of the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty.
The suit was filed against Attorney General Dana Nessel. Although the suit was filed in Michigan's western district, spokesperson Amber McCann said the department has yet to receive the suit.
