Supreme Court Delivers Win For Catholic Group
The U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled that Wisconsin officials cannot deny a religious tax exemption to Catholic Charities Bureau (CCB) based on their belief that the organization’s work is too secular. The case involved whether CCB, affiliated with the Diocese of Superior, qualified for a religious exemption from Wisconsin’s unemployment insurance program. State officials previously argued that because the group’s charitable services did not explicitly include religious activities, it was not a religious entity.
Justice Sonia Sotomayor, writing for the Court, emphasized that the government cannot distinguish between religions or religious practices when granting exemptions. She stated that differentiating between groups based on their theological approach — such as whether or not they proselytize — is a form of unconstitutional denominational discrimination. This, she noted, conflicts with the fundamental requirement of government neutrality toward religion.
Sotomayor explained that Catholic teachings discourage using charitable acts for proselytism, which influenced how the organization operates. This theological stance, shared by other religious traditions, should not disqualify them from religious protections simply because their services appear neutral or nonreligious. The Court found that Wisconsin’s interpretation unfairly penalized religious groups that serve without promoting their faith.
The decision overturned a Wisconsin Supreme Court ruling that had determined Catholic Charities did not qualify as religious because it did not attempt to convert people or include religious materials in its programs. The U.S. Supreme Court found this rationale deeply flawed, stating that eligibility for exemptions cannot depend on specific religious practices or doctrinal preferences.
Justices from across the ideological spectrum expressed concern during oral arguments that Wisconsin’s approach risked favoring religions that openly evangelize over those that do not. Justice Elena Kagan and Justice Neil Gorsuch both questioned whether the state could lawfully grant exemptions based on such theological differences. The case now returns to the lower courts for further proceedings, but the Supreme Court’s message was clear: religious neutrality must be preserved in matters of law and policy.