Posted on by L&R Forum

Around the Web

Here are some important law-and-religion news stories from around the web:

  • In Stinson et al v. Fayetteville School District No. 1, et al, regarding an Arkansas law that would require elementary schools to hang the Ten Commandments in classrooms, the Court granted a preliminary injunction enjoining certain school districts from complying with the law. 
  •  In Chaudry v. Thorsen, an Illinois District Court rejected any Establishment Clause claims against a high school teacher brought by the parents of a student, wherein the teacher provided resources to the student who was seeking to convert from Islam to Christianity. 
  • In a case in front of the Court of Justice of the European Union, the Court held that a German Catholic Organization could not dismiss one of its employees on the grounds of leaving the Catholic church.  
  • Earlier this week, the President’s Religious Liberty Commission held a hearing on the topic of religious liberty in the healthcare industry, discussing topics such as vaccine mandates and potential threats to religious liberties in the medical field. 
  • In Arizona Mining Reform Coalition v. U.S. Forest Service, the 9th Circuit again upheld a transfer of land, which includes ceremonial religious grounds of the Apache tribe, to a Copper Mining company. 
Posted on by L&R Forum

Mattone Center for Law and Religion & St. John’sJournal of Catholic Legal Studies Co-Host Annual Symposium

On Thursday, the Mattone Center for Law and Religion co-hosted its annual symposium with the St. John’s Journal of Catholic Legal Studies. This year’s event featured commentary by Chris Lund (Wayne State) and Eric Rassbach (Becket) on the recent Ten Commandments case from the Fifth Circuit. 

The program also included a thoughtful Q&A with the presenters and remarks from Dean Jefferson Exum of St. John’s Law. Thank you to our speakers and all who joined us for an engaging and timely discussion. 

Posted on by Mark Movsesian

Upcoming Panel: Displaying the 10 Commandments in Public School Classrooms

Later this month, the Mattone Center will co-host its annual symposium with the St. John’s Journal of Catholic Legal Studies. This year’s panel will address Roake v. Brumley, the 5th Circuit case on the constitutionality of displaying the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms. We’ll hear from Christopher Lund (Wayne State) and Eric Rassbach (Becket Fund). We’ll post a video of the event later.

Space is limited, but if interested, please email Center Director Mark Movsesian at mark.movsesian@stjohns.edu. Thanks!

Posted on by L&R Forum

Around the Web

Here are some important law-and-religion news stories from around the web:

  • This week, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit heard oral arguments in two cases challenging state laws that require public schools to display the Ten Commandments in classrooms.
  • The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear a case brought by a Jewish group seeking to recover a collection of sacred manuscripts that were seized by the Nazis and are now being held in Russia.
  • A Ukrainian Catholic Church in Pennsylvania has sued Collier Township, alleging religious discrimination after the town rejected plans for a church bell tower.
  • The European Court of Human Rights is hearing a case that seeks to remove Christian icons and symbols from public buildings in Greece.
  • The Vatican is currently evaluating the Trump Administration’s invitation to join the Board of Peace, which was established with the goal of rebuilding Gaza. 

Posted on by L&R Forum · 1 Comment

Around the Web

Here are some important law-and-religion stories from around the web:

  • In Roake v. Brumley, a Louisiana federal district court found that Louisiana violated the Free Exercise and Establishment Clauses when it passed a law that required a copy of the Ten Commandments to be posted in every public school classroom in the state. The court reasoned that the Louisiana statute burdened plaintiffs’ sincere religious practices and beliefs and was not neutral toward religion.
  • Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt announced the launch of the Oklahoma Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives. The new division of state government is meant to act as a point of contact for faith-based and nonprofit organizations, facilitating connections with state services, including creating a repository of state agency programs and recognizing impactful faith-based organizations through partnerships with state agencies.
  • Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, announced he would resign after a report revealed that he failed to launch a proper investigation into claims of widespread abuse of boys and young men that occurred decades ago at Christian summer camps.
  • In Bird v DP (a pseudonym), the High Court of Australia found that a Catholic diocese was not vicariously liable for sexual abuse of a young child by a priest from a parish church. The High Court determined that the priest was not employed by the Diocese or engaged by the Diocese as an independent contractor and, therefore, was not an agent of the Diocese.
Posted on by L&R Forum

Around the Web

Here are some important law-and-religion news stories from around the web:

  • In Tripathy v. McKoy, the 2nd Circuit upheld a dismissal of a case by a former inmate who argued that requiring him to enroll in a treatment program for lighter sentencing violated his beliefs because it required him to falsely admit guilt, which contradicts the Hindu tenet against lying.
  • In Ringhofer v. Mayo Clinic, Ambulance, the 8th Circuit reversed the dismissal of lawsuits by Mayo Clinic employees who claimed the Covid vaccine mandate violated their religious beliefs.
  • The Louisiana legislature passed HB71, requiring public schools and colleges to display the Ten Commandments in every classroom. The Ten Commandments must be prominently displayed with a context statement in schools, while colleges are only required to display the Ten Commandments text.
  • The Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association, a Christian group, was forced to open its Jersey Shore Beaches on Sunday mornings while they group fights a lawsuit against the Department of Environmental Protection or risk owing fines of $25,000 per day. The group has closed its beaches during religious services for 155 years.
Posted on by Daniel Vitagliano

Around the Web

Here are some important law-and-religion news stories from around the web:

Posted on by amnania

Around the Web

Here are some important law-and-religion news stories from around the web:

Posted on by Daniel Vitagliano

Around the Web

Here are some important law-and-religion news stories from around the web:

Posted on by Liam Ray

Around the Web

Here are some important law-and-religion news stories from around the web: