Bishops Applaud Supreme Court's Defense of Religious Freedom in Groff v. DeJoy Case

In a unanimous decision, the United States Supreme Court ruled in favor of a Christian postal worker's religious freedom rights in the Groff v. DeJoy case, prompting praise from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).

Highlights

By Catholic Online (NEWS CONSORTIUM)
6/30/2023 (1 year ago)

Published in Politics & Policy

Keywords: Bishops, Catholic, United States, Supreme Court, religious, freedom, Sabbath, postal, case

The USCCB, in a statement released on Thursday, hailed the ruling as a restoration of a vital civil rights law aimed at preventing workplace discrimination against people of faith. The court's decision, authored by Justice Samuel Alito, emphasized that employers denying religious accommodations must demonstrate that accommodating such requests would result in significant increased costs.

Crucially, the court rejected the "de minimis" standard that had allowed employers to dismiss workers' religious accommodation appeals based on costs deemed more than trivial under Article VII of the Civil Rights Act.

Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York, chairman of the bishops' Committee for Religious Liberty, highlighted the significance of religious freedom extending beyond the confines of private spaces and churches. He emphasized that the public square flourishes when religious freedom is embraced, noting that workplaces require navigating personal differences with compassion and respect, including religious diversity.

At the center of the Groff v. DeJoy case was Gerald Groff, an evangelical missionary and former postal worker. Groff resigned from his position at the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) in 2019 after facing alleged harassment, targeting, and disciplinary action for his refusal to work on Sundays to honor the Third Commandment's directive to keep the Sabbath holy.

Subsequently, Groff filed a lawsuit against USPS, asserting that his religious rights had been violated.

Following the rejection of his claims by a Pennsylvania district court and the 3rd Circuit Court, the Supreme Court agreed to hear Groff's appeal in January.

In February, the USCCB, alongside a multi-faith coalition, submitted an amicus brief in support of Groff's religious rights to the Supreme Court. The brief underscored that Americans should not have to choose between their jobs and their faith. It argued that Title VII's mandate to accommodate employees' religion is consistent with the nation's fundamental commitment to religious freedom, striking a balance between workers' right to practice their religion and employers' need to maintain effective workplaces.

The Supreme Court's decision in the Groff v. DeJoy case marks an important milestone in safeguarding religious freedom within the realm of employment, garnering support from the USCCB and various faith-based organizations advocating for the protection of individuals' rights to practice their religion without compromising their professional lives.