The Supreme Court will hear a case in its upcoming term over whether Colorado can exclude Catholic preschools from a state program, but how the justices rule could have implications for other religious groups’ ability to participate in government programs without having to give up their beliefs.Next term, the high court will hear St. Mary Catholic Parish v. Roy, in which the Archdiocese of Denver and a group of Catholic preschools are asking the Supreme Court to allow their inclusion into Colorado’s universal preschool program. Colorado denied the schools from the program because they required the Catholic preschools to accept all families, including those who do not share Catholic beliefs, something which the preschools say violates their First Amendment rights.While the case itself will deal with Catholic schools’ inclusion in a state universal preschool program, leaders and advocates from other religions have raised concerns if the Supreme Court rules in Colorado’s favor in the case. Sydney Altfield, CEO of the Teach Coalition, which works to help with the safety and affordability of Jewish schools, warned that while states have not attempted to attach conditions to the security they provide for Jewish schools, that possibility is “something that we are very, very nervous about.”
Supreme Court's Catholic preschool case could have broader implications
The Supreme Court's upcoming case about Catholic preschools' inclusion in a Colorado program could have implications for other religions.






