Second-Class Right

 Alito Warns: Religious Liberty 'Is in Danger of Becoming a Second-Class Right'- Christian Headlines

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito on Thursday delivered an unusually blunt warning about the future of religious liberty and free speech in the United States, saying both were in danger if the justices don't step in and protect them.

Alito's comments came during a speech in a virtual gathering of the Federalist Society, a group of conservatives and libertarians dedicated to reforming the legal system.

Alito, who was nominated by President George W. Bush, has been known as a staunch supporter of religious liberty and free speech, although his comments left little doubt how he will lean in future cases involving those two issues.

"It pains me to say this, but in certain quarters, religious liberty is fast becoming a disfavored right," said Alito, who is Catholic. The pandemic, he bemoaned, "has resulted in previously unimaginable restrictions on individual liberty," even though Alito said he was not "diminishing the severity of the virus' threat to public health."

Alito used frank language discussing several high-profile cases, including one involving the Little Sisters of the Poor, a Catholic order of nuns who run homes for the elderly poor. The Obama administration tried forcing the Little Sisters to carry health insurance covering contraceptives and abortifacients.

- Lord, we praise You the Justice Alito has seen the dangers lurking in current society. We ask for more wisdom, more anointing, and a strong relationship to You for all of the Supreme Court Justices. We also pray for their protection from evil and deception.

- "But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one." (2 Thessalonians 3:3)