Let Us Pray

In 2023, the Colorado state legislature passed HB22 1295, establishing the universal preschool program (UPK). This program allows all 4 year olds at least 15 hours per week of tuition free preschool at a program of a parent’s choosing. For children who meet certain qualifying factors, they are given an option of additional hours if needed.

Both public and private preschools are allowed to participate in the UPK; however, all preschools that desire to participate must abide by state mandated admissions requirements. This agreement is highly problematic for Christian schools as it requires all preschools, with no exemptions, to provide admissions to all students, even those whose families do not subscribe to a Christian worldview.

Colorado prohibited Catholic preschools from participating in the UPK because of the preschools’ refusal to agree to state admissions mandates due to the agreement forcing them to act contrary to their Catholic beliefs on marriage being between one man and one woman and on other aspects of Biblical sexuality. The agreement would force the Catholic preschools to admit families who subscribe to the LGBTQ lifestyle. The Catholic schools have stated that their mission is to “pass on the faith to the next generation,” and by caving to state mandates, they would be compromising that mission by not holding firm to what the Bible teaches about marriage and human sexuality.

In response, the Archdiocese of Denver, two Catholic parishes with preschools, and parents of preschool-aged children have legally challenged Colorado’s UPK, arguing that the state mandates violate their First Amendment rights by discriminating against them for their Christian beliefs on marriage and family. The Plaintiffs argue that the First Amendment requires Colorado to make a religious exemption that allows them to take part in the program. They are represented by attorneys from the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty.

Sadly, lower courts, both the U.S. District Court and the Tenth Circuit, ruled in Colorado’s favor. This led to St. Mary Catholic Parish v. Roy being taken up by the U.S. Supreme Court, which heard oral arguments earlier this month. Praise the Lord, just after two hours of oral arguments, the majority seems positioned to defend the First Amendment and protect the Catholic preschools by overturning the lower courts’ rulings. The Supreme Court is expected to rule on this case sometime next year, and it has an opportunity to send an overwhelming message that the First Amendment protects religious institutions and allows them to freely exercise their religious beliefs.

LET US PRAY…

Father, please empower each justice of the Supreme Court to rule rightly in this case to uphold the First Amendment and to protect Christian schools and institutions. Lord, help Your people to have the courage of these Catholic preschools to never compromise on Biblical truth. Father, empower us to defend the First Amendment powerfully and effectively. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.