The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court issued an August 20 ruling that keeps the city of Quincy from placing two towering Catholic saint statues outside its newly built public‑safety headquarters. The court said the monuments could be perceived as government endorsement of a particular faith, violating the Massachusetts Constitution’s requirement for religious neutrality.
Legal background
The decision affirms an October 2025 ruling by a Norfolk Superior Court judge that temporarily blocked the statues. The statues—St. Michael the Archangel, traditionally regarded as the patron saint of police officers, and St. Florian, the patron saint of firefighters—were commissioned by Quincy Mayor Thomas Koch and crafted by an Italian sculptor.
Faith‑based groups and a coalition of taxpayers filed the lawsuit, arguing that installing overtly religious symbols on public property would give Catholicism preferential treatment. Plaintiffs were represented by the ACLU of Massachusetts, the national ACLU, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, the Freedom From Religion Foundation, and the law firm Cloherty & Steinberg.
City’s response
Representing Quincy, the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty said the ruling is “preliminary” and that the city will continue to fight for the right to honor its first responders. Senior counsel Joe Davis told Fox News Digital, “Quincy chose these statues to honor the courage and sacrifice of its firefighters and police. The city should not have to hide public art simply because some people may think of religion when they see it.”
Mayor Koch echoed that sentiment, stating, “Our firefighters and police put their lives on the line every day. These statues were chosen to honor their bravery, service, and sacrifice.” He added that the city will pursue further legal avenues to install the monuments if the law permits.
Constitutional concerns
The Massachusetts Constitution requires the government to remain neutral in matters of religion. The ACLU of Massachusetts argued that the statues “lack a predominantly secular purpose” and that their primary effect is to advance a particular faith. In contrast, the National Fraternal Order of Police and the Massachusetts Fraternal Order of Police noted that St. Michael is revered by people of many faiths, not solely Catholics.
Jessie Rossman, legal director for the ACLU of Massachusetts, said, “Our state constitution is clear: the government must not elevate one faith above others. This ruling affirms those principles, which are essential for a pluralistic society where people of all faiths and no faith can flourish.”
What’s next?
The case will return to the Superior Court for further proceedings. Both sides indicated they are prepared for additional litigation, and the city’s legal team signaled that it will continue to argue that the statues serve a secular purpose—honoring first responders and boosting morale—rather than promoting religion.
For Quincy residents, the dispute highlights the ongoing tension between honoring community heroes and respecting constitutional limits on religious expression in public spaces.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
