The Supreme Court is seen on April 7 in Washington, DC
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A unanimous supreme court judged that Catholic charitable organizations can withdraw from participation In a state unemployment remuneration program in Wisconsin.
The opinion of judge Sonia Sotomayor canceled a decision of the Supreme Court of the State.
“It is fundamental for our constitutional order that the government maintains the” neutrality between religion and religion “, wrote Judge Sonia Sotomayor, one of the three Liberals of the Court, in his opinion for the Court.” There may be difficult calls to make the police of this rule, but it is not one. When the government distinguishes religions on the basis of theological differences in their provision of services, this imposes a denominational preference which must satisfy the highest level of judicial examination. “
Opinion could potentially lead to a major exodus of the Wisconsin public system and similar programs in 46 other states. This, in turn, could destabilize the joint unemployment remuneration program of the federal state which has existed for decades.
The case was Brought by a single chapter of Catholic charities in the north of WisconsinWho said he should be able to withdraw from the compulsory unemployment remuneration system and join an alternative religious system, which is cheaper.
However, the state refused to grant Catholic charitable organizations a religious exemption to pay the state system. The state has said that Catholic charitable organizations work in the same way as other non -profit organizations, including Catholic hospitals, and is required to participate in the state unemployment tax system, as it has done for decades.
Catholic charitable organizations replied that its mission was to carry out the Gospel of the Church to help people and that it is thus entitled to a religious exemption from the compulsory tax system of the State.
In the end, the court agreed with the group.
