A West Virginia circuit court judge ruled that the state's Water Development Authority violated the state constitution by awarding a $5 million grant to an out-of-state Catholic school. The judge stated that the West Virginia Constitution prohibits the use of public funds to support religious education and advocacy. The grant was awarded to the College of St. Joseph the Worker, a Catholic-affiliated trade school, for expansion into West Virginia. The grant included funds for a real estate company, scholarships, and a think tank that advocates against abortion. The American Civil Liberties Union, on behalf of the American Humanist Association, filed the suit.
5 months ago
A West Virginia circuit court judge has blocked a $5 million grant from the state's Water Development Authority to the College of St. Joseph the Worker, an out-of-state Catholic-affiliated trade school located in Steubenville, Ohio 1. The judge, Richard Lindsay of Kanawha Circuit Court, ruled on July 9 that the grant violated the West Virginia Constitution, which prohibits the use of public funds to support religious education and advocacy 1.
The College of St. Joseph the Worker trains students in skilled trades such as carpentry, HVAC, plumbing, and electrical, but it confers a Bachelor of Arts degree in Catholic studies 1. Its mission statement emphasizes forming students as "effective and committed members of their communities by teaching them the Catholic intellectual tradition while training them in skilled and dignified labor," with a motto referencing "The Word became flesh and picked up a hammer" 1.
The $5 million grant proposal outlined several allocations: approximately $2.1 million was intended to establish a real estate, development, and construction company in Weirton, West Virginia, for student training 1. Additionally, about $1 million was earmarked to support "The Center for the Common Good," a think tank that advocates against abortion, and $1.6 million was designated for scholarships to recruit West Virginia students 1.
The lawsuit was initiated in January by the American Civil Liberties Union on behalf of the American Humanist Association, which has a chapter in West Virginia 1. The challenge centered on the robust establishment clause of the West Virginia Constitution, which explicitly states that the Legislature shall not "confer any peculiar privileges or advantages on any sect or denomination, or pass any law requiring or authorizing any religious society... to levy on themselves, or others, any tax for the erection or repair of any house for public worship, or for the support of any church or ministry" 1.
The ruling is considered a victory for proponents of church and state separation 1. Judge Lindsay has given the West Virginia Water Development Authority 30 days to revise the grant to ensure it complies with the state's constitutional requirements 1.
Does the Church support state funding for Catholic education?
The Catholic Church supports state funding for Catholic education, viewing it as a matter of distributive justice and a means to uphold the rights of parents to choose an education in harmony with their convictions .
The Church's position is rooted in several key principles:
Historically, in many countries, Catholics have supported their schools at their own expense, driven by a commitment to provide "Catholic education in Catholic schools for all the Catholic youth" . While the Church hopes for state support, it also maintains that civil authorities should not oppose Catholic education if it is not publicly funded, recognizing the rights of the family and legitimate liberty .
Challenges to state funding for Catholic schools have arisen, with questions sometimes raised about the right to publicly funded independent Catholic school boards . Despite these challenges, the Church emphasizes its inalienable right to establish and conduct schools freely, in accordance with its needs .