Court ruling reinforces protections for religious ministries in Yakima, Rep. Chris Corry says
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Court ruling reinforces protections for religious ministries in Yakima, Rep. Chris Corry says
A unanimous ruling Tuesday by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit affirming the right of the Yakima Union Gospel Mission to hire employees who share its religious beliefs is a victory for constitutional freedom and faith-based service organizations, Rep. Chris Corry, R-Yakima, said.
The decision confirms that religious ministries may employ individuals who live out and support their faith-based mission without interference from the state, reinforcing long-standing First Amendment protections for religious autonomy.
“The Yakima Union Gospel Mission exists to serve the most vulnerable in our community while staying true to its Christian mission,” Corry said. “This ruling rightly recognizes that the government doesn’t get to decide who a religious ministry must hire or what beliefs it must compromise to keep serving others.”
The Yakima Union Gospel Mission operates homeless shelter services, addiction recovery programs, meal services, and outreach efforts throughout the Yakima Valley. While it serves people from all backgrounds, the mission has long maintained that its staff must share and live out its religious beliefs in order to effectively carry out its purpose.
The case stems from a Washington state law and subsequent Washington Supreme Court ruling that narrowed the state’s religious exemption by redefining the term “employer” and limiting protections almost exclusively to ordained “ministers.” That interpretation exposed faith-based nonprofits to penalties and liability for hiring employees aligned with their religious beliefs, even in roles central to carrying out their mission.
“This case never should have had to go to a federal court,” said Corry. “The Washington Supreme Court rewrote the law to strip religious ministries of long-standing protections, substituting ideology for constitutional restraint. Unfortunately, that court has developed a track record of politically driven rulings that routinely push past the clear boundaries of religious liberty.”
The 9th Circuit rejected that approach, ruling that when a religious organization’s hiring decisions are rooted in sincerely held beliefs, government interference is prohibited under the church autonomy doctrine of the First Amendment.
“This decision draws a clear line where it should have been all along,” Corry said. “Faith-based organizations shouldn’t be forced to abandon their beliefs just to operate in Washington state. Religious freedom doesn’t end at the church door – it applies to the work those ministries do every day in our communities.”
For Corry, the ruling carries particular local significance.
“For Yakima, this ruling is personal,” Corry said. “The Union Gospel Mission isn’t some abstract legal concept – it’s a trusted local partner helping people rebuild their lives. Today’s decision protects their ability to stay true to their mission while continuing to serve those in need.”
Corry said the ruling should serve as a reminder to state lawmakers that policies must respect constitutional boundaries and the vital role faith-based organizations play in caring for communities across Washington.
