Massachusetts High Court Blocks Town From Installing Saints Statues Outside New Public Safety Center

Massachusetts’ highest court says the town of Quincy cannot install statues of two Catholic saints outside a new public safety center, finding that their installation would give preferential treatment to a particular religion over others.In February 2025, Quincy mayor Thomas Koch shared plans to install two 10-foot bronze statues of the Saints Michael and Florian — considered the patron saints of police officers and firefighters — outside the new public safety building. The two statues reportedly cost taxpayers $850,000. Mr. Koch said the statues were not being installed for religious reasons, but because St. Michael is the patron saint of police officers and St. Florian is the patron saint of firefighters. A coalition of residents of various faiths sued to block their installation. The plaintiffs, represented by the ACLU, said the figures would send a message that Quincy is “exclusively” a Catholic community.On Thursday, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court rejected the city’s motion to dismiss the lawsuit and upheld a lower court’s decision blocking their installation. In a 34-page opinion, the court said, “The statues are large and will stand alone, they are brand new rather than long standing, they are closely affiliated with a particular religion, and they thus may convey to observing members of the public implicit government support for that religion and, as a result, subordination of other religion.”The director of the ACLU of Massachusetts, Jessie Rossman, called the decision a “landmark ruling” that affirms the “essential foundation of a pluralistic society where people of all faiths and no faith can flourish. ““As Quincy residents and taxpayers, our clients believe that installing these plainly religious statues would undermine those ideals,” Ms. Rossman said.In a statement, Mr. Koch’s office, which is being represented by the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, said the decision is “disappointing,” as he said the statues were “chosen to honor” the bravery and sacrifice of firefighters and police officers. Mr. Koch said he will “continue to fight for the ability to commemorate our first responders as law permits.”

Massachusetts High Court Blocks Town From Installing Saints Statues Outside New Public Safety Center

Massachusetts High Court Blocks Town From Installing Saints Statues Outside New Public Safety Center

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