A Catholic service organization, the Knights of Columbus, has filed a lawsuit against the Biden administration for religious discrimination after they were denied a permit to hold their annual Memorial Day mass at a national cemetery.
The attorneys representing the Knights filed a motion for a temporary restraining order against the National Park Service (NPS) in Petersburg, Virginia, on Tuesday. They argue that the decision to deny the permit is a violation of the First Amendment and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA).
According to the legal team, the Knights of Columbus have been holding their Memorial Day mass at the Poplar Grove National Cemetery for the past 60 years. However, this is the second consecutive year in which their permit has been denied by the NPS. The organization has expressed their disappointment and frustration at this decision, as they see it as a violation of their religious freedom and a denial of their longstanding tradition.
The NPS, on the other hand, has defended its decision to deny the permit. Alexa Viets, the superintendent of the Petersburg National Battlefield, stated that national cemeteries are designated as national shrines and are reserved for official commemorative activities that have a connection to military service or hold historical significance. According to their rules, religious services and vigils are classified as “demonstrations” and are prohibited from taking place in national cemeteries, except for designated dates.
However, the legal team representing the Knights argues that this policy is a recent change and that the organization had been granted permission to hold their religious service at the cemetery for many years prior. They cite this change as evidence of religious discrimination and censorship, which are prohibited by RFRA and the First Amendment. First Liberty senior counsel Roger Byron stated, “This is the kind of unlawful discrimination RFRA and the First Amendment were enacted to prevent.”
The legal team has also emphasized the significance of the Memorial Day mass for their organization and the community, stating that it is an honorable tradition that they are fighting to keep alive. They have urged the court to grant the temporary restraining order and allow the Knights to hold their service this Memorial Day. A court hearing for the restraining order is set for Wednesday afternoon.
The National Park Service has declined to comment on the pending litigation. Fox News Digital reached out to the Petersburg National Battlefield for comment but has not received a response. The controversy surrounding the permit denial has sparked a debate on the limits of religious expression in public spaces and the role of government in regulating it.
Some argue that the decision to deny the Knights of Columbus permit is a necessary measure to uphold the separation of church and state and maintain the neutrality of public spaces. Others argue that it is a violation of religious freedom and that the NPS should make accommodations for religious practices within reasonable limits.
While the legal battle between the Knights of Columbus and the NPS continues, the community is left to reflect on the significance of the Memorial Day mass and the role of religion in public spaces. Regardless of the outcome of the court hearing, this case highlights the ongoing debate on the protection of religious expression in a diverse and changing society.
