Knights of Columbus sues Biden admin for religious discrimination after Parks Service denies permit to hold Mass in Virginia cemetery

UPDATE: The Biden administration later relented and allowed the mass to go forward at Poplar Grove.

A Catholic group has filed a lawsuit against the Biden administration, alleging religious discrimination after being denied the opportunity to hold their traditional Memorial Day Mass at a national cemetery. 

The Knights of Columbus have been conducting this service at Poplar Grove National Cemetery in Petersburg, Virginia for the past 60 years but were denied a permit for the second consecutive year.

On Tuesday, the Knights of Columbus sought a temporary restraining order against the National Park Service in Virginia following the refusal of their permit. The group claimed this decision is a violation of the First Amendment.

"The policy and the decision blocking the Knights of Columbus from continuing their long-standing religious tradition is a blatant violation of the First Amendment and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA)," a partner for the law firm representing the group said in a statement. "We urge the court to grant our restraining order and allow the Knights to hold their service this Memorial Day."

In a statement to the Washington Times, Alexa Viets, superintendent of the Petersburg National Battlefield, where the cemetery is located, explained the decision.

“National Cemeteries are established as national shrines in tribute to those who have died in service to our country, and as such any special activities within the cemetery are reserved for a limited set of official commemorative activities that have a connection to military service or have a historic and commemorative significance for the particular national cemetery,”

Viets further stated that federal regulations prohibit the battlefield from authorizing special events within national cemeteries to preserve the atmosphere of solemnity, quiet contemplation, and tranquility. 

The parks have classified religious services as “demonstrations” and have been prohibited since 1986. However, the Knights of Columbus pointed out that they have been able to conduct their prayer service at the site every Memorial Day for decades until recently.

Roger Byron, senior counsel for First Liberty, criticized the decision as a violation of the group’s religious freedoms. 

“The National Park Service is way out of line,” he said. “This is the kind of unlawful discrimination and censorship RFRA and the First Amendment were enacted to prevent. Hopefully, the court will grant the Knights the relief they need to keep this honorable tradition alive.”