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Active U.S. Courts of Appeals

Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish v. Nessel

What is the freedom of conscience? Why is it worth protecting today?

Summary

The Michigan Supreme Court reinterpreted the prohibition on sex discrimination in Michigan’s Civil Rights Act and penal code to include sexual orientation and gender identity. That change requires Grand Rapids-based Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish and its school, Sacred Heart Academy, to hire faculty and staff who lead lives in direct opposition to the Catholic faith, speak messages that violate Church doctrine, and refrain from articulating Catholic beliefs in teaching its students and when advertising the school to prospective students or job applicants. Additionally, by preventing Sacred Heart from operating its school consistent with its beliefs, state officials are violating the rights of parents who specifically chose to send their children to Sacred Heart Academy because the school aligns with their values and religious beliefs.

Commentary

Additional Resources

Case Profiles

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Ryan Tucker
Ryan Tucker
Senior Counsel, Director of the Center for Christian Ministries
Ryan Tucker serves as senior counsel and director of the Center for Christian Ministries with Alliance Defending Freedom.
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Kate Anderson
Kate Anderson
Senior Counsel, Director of Center for Parental Rights
Kate Anderson serves as senior counsel with Alliance Defending Freedom, where she is the director of the Center for Parental Rights.