By CatholicVote | Created at 2024-11-06 23:34:44 | Updated at 2024-11-07 02:39:17
3 hours ago
CV NEWS FEED // A court has allowed a Washington-based Christian homeless ministry to continue to only hire employees who hold the same religious faith as the organization, although the religious freedom-focused lawsuit on the issue has not concluded.
On November 1, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington Judge Mary Dimke signed an order granting a preliminary injunction to the Christian nonprofit Union Gospel Mission of Yakima.
The ministry had first filed a complaint against Washington Attorney General Robert Ferguson in March 2023, and then in May of that year filed a motion for a preliminary injunction.
The legal efforts challenged Washington’s Law Against Discrimination, which Alliance Defending Freedom described in a press release as “a state law that limits its freedom to hire like-minded individuals who share and live out its religious beliefs.”
According to the press release, Union Gospel Mission of Yakima serves all people, but only hires “likeminded believers who agree with and live out the mission’s Christian beliefs and practices, including the mission’s beliefs on biblical marriage and sexuality.”
Alliance Defending Freedom Senior Counsel Ryan Tucker had argued in court on behalf of the Christian nonprofit.
“Yakima Union Gospel Mission exists to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ through its homeless shelter, addiction-recovery programs, outreach efforts, meal services, and health clinics,” Tucker stated in the press release. “But it faces substantial penalties under Washington state law for simply engaging in its freedom to hire fellow believers who share the mission’s calling to spread the Gospel and care for vulnerable people in the Yakima community.”
He expressed support for the November 1 court decision, which “protect[s] the ministry’s constitutional rights as this lawsuit proceeds.”
“The Constitution gives religious organizations the freedom to hire employees who are aligned with and live out their religious beliefs,” Tucker said.
The November 1 court order recounts the nonprofit’s argument that if it is forced to hire those who do not share the organization’s religious beliefs, the organization may eventually be unable to operate.
The court order also states: “The Court finds that Plaintiff is likely to suffer irreparable harm absent a preliminary injunction.”
According to the Yakima Herald-Republic, Attorney General Ferguson’s Office intends to appeal the decision.
