Milwaukee Diocese Ask SCOTUS To Review Cemetery Trust Ruling

The Archdiocese of Milwaukee has filed cert with the Supreme Court requesting a review of the 7th Circuit ruling that included cemetery trust funds in bankruptcy proceedings. The bankruptcy is a result of large court awards against the Church due to child sex scandals involving priest that were protected from punish by diocese leaders over several decades. The church argues that the funds are protected under the 1st Amendment Free Exercise Clause and Religious Freedom Restoration Act and using them in bankruptcy would disrupt a key tenant of faith involving the disposition of bodies at death. No indication has been given if SCOTUS will take the case but the odds do not appear to be in favor the Church in this matter.

SeeAnnysa Johnson, Archdiocese asks Supreme Court to weigh in on cemetery trust, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, July 7, 2015.