“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” – 2 Corinthians 3:17
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The United States Supreme Court recently announced it will hear a pivotal religious liberty case from Northern Kentucky. It involves the Missionaries of St. John the Baptist and the Kentucky Supreme Court’s decision to deny their right to build an unassuming prayer shrine on their own property. The case stems back to March of 2021, when the Missionaries of St. John the Baptist applied for a permit to construct a grotto that would serve as a small sacred place for quiet prayer and reflection.
The very next month, in April of 2021, St. John’s permit was approved by the Park Hills Board of Adjustment, allowing for the construction of the prayer shrine. Two neighbors were not happy with the board’s approval and appealed the decision to Kentucky state court.
Originally, a state judge sided with the church, but the Kentucky Court of Appeals reversed the decision. The Kentucky Supreme Court then upheld the Appeals Court’s decision, which First Liberty Institute is arguing violated the “Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act” (RLUIPA). Kelly Shackelford, the CEO and Chief Counsel at First Liberty, said, “Telling a church it can’t build a modest place for prayer and reflection on its own property is outrageous… Federal law provides clear protections for how faith-based organizations can use their property to support their mission.”
Cases like these show why stronger religious liberty protections are needed in our Commonwealth. This is why The Family Foundation continues to support religious liberty legislation, including the strengthening of Kentucky’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act. Last session, Rep. TJ Roberts filed HB 170, which would strengthen religious liberty across the Commonwealth, but sadly, House leadership did not give it any movement. That bill will be back in the coming Kentucky legislative session, and it will continue to be a top priority for The Family Foundation.
LET US PRAY…
Father, as the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments and rule on this case in the summer of 2027, may they rule rightly and protect religious liberty. Lord, empower the attorneys who will be defending the Missionaries of St. John the Baptist with Your wisdom and insight. Father, may a legislative measure be passed in this upcoming legislative session here in Kentucky to strengthen religious liberty in our Commonwealth. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.