A major victory for religious freedom and pastors...

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Last Friday, the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals handed down a major win for religious freedom in a case involving the ministerial housing allowance. This ruling reversed a 2017 opinion in which a federal judge had declared the allowance unconstitutional as a violation of separation of church and state.

This ruling is a major win for pastors across America and religious freedom in general. The ERLC worked tirelessly to advocate for the restoration of the housing allowance, and filed an amicus curiae brief in this case urging the courts to rule in favor of religious freedom.

ERLC President Russell Moore praised the Seventh Circuit ruling:

"This ruling is a victory for all Americans who care about the cause of religious liberty and desire to see communities flourish. That's because it's in no one's interest for the government to penalize clergy in small congregations faithfully serving their communities... I'm thankful to see sanity prevail in this ruling, as are millions of men and women around the country."

Religious freedom is a cornerstone of our society, and the pastoral housing allowance is part of a long legal tradition of a free church in a free state. Working to uphold religious freedom for all is a key part of our work at the ERLC. We are thankful for this ruling and for the way it allows pastors to continue faithfully serving their communities!