Becket

Today, we honor St. Thomas Becket, our namesake, and the Archbishop of Canterbury. His courage at the intersection of church and state inspired our mission to defend religious freedom for all.

Samantha Jones was just 17 years old when she went to court to successfully protect the right to recite the Pledge in its entirety. Learn about her story this Pledge of Allegiance Day by listening to the podcast episode, “Rights and Recitations.” https://lnkd.in/gKEbb5cz

From everyone at Becket, we wish you a Happy Hanukkah and a joyous Festival of Light! 🕎

Merry Christmas from all of us at Becket! May your day be filled with hope, peace, joy, and love! 🎄

Sometimes no news is the best kind of news. In lieu of egregious Scrooges this year, Becket awarded the Tiny Tim Toast to the citizens of Sweetwater, Texas for defending faith’s rightful place in the public square. From The Washington Times: https://lnkd.in/gTxAiA2u

Interested in being a Becket intern? Now's your chance to spend a summer in D.C. working alongside our team on high profile religious liberty cases. If you are currently a college or law student and looking for an internship, send in an application by January 5th. Find out more👇 Undergraduate Internships: https://lnkd.in/gsZySzqs Students collaborate with the communications, legal, research, operations, and management teams to gain experience in all aspects of legal non-profit operation. Legal Internships: https://lnkd.in/gX7CpeAr Legal interns work on cases at all stages, from drafting complaints to assisting with Supreme Court cases. Law students are eligible.

Becket is happy to announce its inaugural Tiny Tim Toast, honoring an individual or group who inspires hope and perseverance in the face of adversity during the Christmas and Hanukkah season.   This year’s Tiny Tim Toast is dedicated to the citizens of Sweetwater, Texas, who defended their Nativity display’s rightful place in the public square. Sweetwater citizens rallied to argue that the Nativity should be allowed at the local county courthouse after a town resident wrote a letter in the local newspaper calling for the Nativity’s removal, complaining that religious displays outside a government building violated the law.   Every Christmas and Hanukkah season, some governments, bureaucrats, and activists seek to shut out the lights on religious displays and expression. This year, Becket is excited to raise a hearty toast to all those who stood firm against these efforts, unwavering in defending faith’s rightful place in the public square. Here’s to you, the citizens of Sweetwater, Texas, for keeping the faith. Learn more about the Tiny Tim Toast here: https://lnkd.in/gZ8bXE7c

#BREAKING: The Supreme Court agreed today to decide whether Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Superior’s care for the poor, the elderly, and the disabled is part of its religious mission. Learn about the newest #SCOTUS case: https://lnkd.in/gU6JBbe8

As the heart of the Diocese's social mission, Catholic Charities Bureau compassionately serves people with disabilities, supports the elderly with dignity, and uplifts those facing poverty, embodying care and hope for all in need. But despite being controlled directly by a bishop and living out the Church’s religious duty to serve those in need, the Wisconsin Supreme Court said that Catholic Charities' activities are not religious enough to be granted a religious exemption to the state’s unemployment benefit program. With the help of Becket, Catholic Charities has asked #SCOTUS to protect its freedom to join the Church's program. https://lnkd.in/g4TdyyuH

A Christian baker will be in California state court next week to protect her ability to operate her bakery in accordance with her faith. More on Tuesday's argument with Becket's Eric Rassbach, LiMandri & Jonna LLP, and Thomas More Society: https://lnkd.in/genMiygm