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Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Superior is appealing a recent decision by the Wisconsin Supreme Court that refused to recognize the organization as religious.
A report from Becket, the law firm that represents Catholic Charities Bureau, explained that the court determined that Catholic Charities could not be seen as a religious organization because lending aid to the poor is not counted as “typical” religious activity. As a result of the ruling, Catholic Charities cannot qualify for exemptions that would relax requirements to join the state’s unemployment compensation program.
Bishop James Powers, bishop of the Diocese of Superior, commented on the ruling:
“Catholic Charities Bureau carries out our Diocese’s essential ministry of caring for the most vulnerable members of our society. We pray the Court will recognize that this work of improving the human condition is rooted in Christ’s call to care for those in need.”
In the report, Becket argues that the majority of Catholic Dioceses within the US run a social ministry that tends to community needs. Catholic social teaching is clear that Catholics are supposed to serve all those in need. To this end Catholic Charities puts its resources towards helping the disabled, elderly, and those living in poverty, regardless of the religious convictions, or lack thereof, of those in need.
It was actually this final stipulation about assisting those who are not necessarily Catholic that the Supreme Court highlighted in its ruling. It found that Catholic Charities could not be considered a religious group because it served more than just Catholics. Furthermore, the court pointed to the facts that Catholic Charities does not attempt to proselytize those who it assists, and hires workers who are not Catholic.
Becket, however, points out that the Church has forbidden the practice of proselytizing those whom it helps. The Gospel spirit does not condition assistance on acceptance of the Church’s teachings; that Catholic Charities hire outside the church speaks to the rich diversity of Catholic organizations.
The Church has an international arm for charity, with which many local branches are affiliated, including Catholic Relief Services in the United States.
Eric Rassbach, vice president and senior counsel at Becket said of the appeal:
“It shouldn’t take a theologian to understand that serving the poor is a religious duty for Catholics.
"But the Wisconsin Supreme Court embraced the absurd conclusion that Catholic Charities has no religious purpose. We’re asking the Supreme Court to step in and fix that mistake.”
