(The Center Square) – The Archdiocese of Denver and two Catholic preschools are suing Colorado for his or her exclusion from the state’s universal preschool program.
The Archdiocese, at the side of St. Mary Catholic Parish in Littleton and St. Bernadette Catholic Parish in Lakewood, say within the lawsuit filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court that the Department of Early Childhood’s non-discrimination necessities for the program “categorically exclude” all of the preschools underneath the Archdiocese.
CDEC calls for preschools to simply accept all scholars regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identification as a way to take part within the universal preschool program enacted ultimate 12 months.
The necessities violate the plaintiffs’ First Amendment proper to the loose workout of faith, the lawsuit argues.
“These requirements directly conflict with St. Mary’s, St. Bernadette’s, and the Archdiocese’s religious beliefs and their religious obligations as entities that carry out the Catholic Church’s mission,” the lawsuit stated.
Catholic preschools within the town weren’t granted a non secular exemption by means of the dep., consistent with the lawsuit.
“Colorado did not have to create a universal preschool funding program, but in doing so it cannot implement that program in a way that excludes certain religious groups and providers based on their sincerely held religious beliefs,” the lawsuit stated.
A spokesperson for Gov. Jared Polis declined to remark at the lawsuit however touted the program’s early good fortune.
“We’re not commenting on this pending litigation and the Governor believes in building a Colorado for all, and a community where everyone is free from discrimination and this voter-approved program has received a 43% increase in enrollment in universal preschool including gaining the participation of many faith-based preschool providers,” Press Secretary Conor Cahill told The Center Square.
Nick Reaves, counsel at Becket, a legal group that advocates for religious freedom and is representing the plaintiffs, said in a statement that “universal should mean universal.”
“Colorado is slamming the door on hundreds of parents that need help sending their kids to preschool, all because the schools that are best for their kids reflect their beliefs,” he added. “We are asking the court to stop Colorado’s campaign against preschoolers and the schools that want to serve them. Families should be free to choose the private school that best meets their needs – whether it is secular or religious.”
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