Philadelphia, Pa., Aug 30, 2018 / 16:06 pm
The U.S. Supreme Court declined Wednesday to compel the city of Philadelphia to resume working with Catholic Social Services (CSS) for the placement of foster children.
In March, Philadelphia officials announced the city would no longer work with CSS for foster care placement, citing the group's unwillingness to place foster children with same-sex couples due to its religious beliefs. CSS asked the Supreme Court in July for an injunction that would require the city to continue its foster-care placement with the agency during litigation over the matter.
The court's order did not explain why it had not granted a requested injunction, but it did note that Supreme Court Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, and Neil Gorsuch supported the request. Five justices are needed to grant an injunction. The Supreme Court has presently eight justices following the retirement of Justice Anthony Kennedy.
In 2017 the Catholic agency placed 266 children and aided more than 2,200 children in the Philadelphia area.