US News
Massachusetts high court blocks Quincy from installing Catholic saint statues outside city building
The state's Supreme Judicial Court upheld a preliminary decision halting the 10-foot monuments, citing constitutional protections for religious neutrality.
The short version
- Massachusetts' highest court upheld a preliminary decision prohibiting Quincy from placing 10-foot statues of St. Michael and St. Florian outside its new public safety headquarters.
- Plaintiffs represented by civil rights and separation-of-church-and-state groups argue the Catholic statues violate state constitutional protections requiring religious neutrality.
- City leaders and police associations contend the monuments were chosen to honor first responders and boost morale rather than promote a specific faith.
- The decision maintains a preliminary injunction while litigation over the permanent installation continues in Superior Court.
Key facts
- The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court issued an August 20 decision upholding an October 2025 lower court order that temporarily blocked Quincy from installing statues of St. Michael and St. Florian.[Fox News]
- The lawsuit against Quincy and Mayor Thomas Koch was originally filed in Norfolk Superior Court in May 2025 by local taxpayers and religious groups.[Fox News]
- The plaintiffs are represented by the ACLU, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, the Freedom From Religion Foundation, and Cloherty & Steinberg LLP.[Fox News]
- Quincy is represented in the litigation by the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty.[Fox News]
- Mayor Koch stated that the Italian-sculpted statues were selected to honor first responders' bravery and sacrifice rather than to advertise religion.[Fox News]
What remains uncertain
- The final resolution of the lawsuit remains uncertain as the case returns to Superior Court to be litigated on its full merits.[Fox News]