Former Members of Catholic Sect Call for Amy Coney Barrett's Recusal in Gay Rights Case

Former members of the People of Praise, calling themselves "survivors" of the Catholic sect, say Justice Amy Coney Barrett needs to sit out a gay rights case that's headed to the Supreme Court, UK newspaper the Guardian reports.

"The former members are part of a network of 'survivors' of the controversial charismatic group who say Barrett's 'lifelong and continued' membership in the People of Praise make her too biased to fairly adjudicate an upcoming case that will decide whether private business owners have a right to decline services to potential clients based on their sexual orientation," the newspaper detailed.

To justify their concerns, those calling for Coney Barrett's recusal "point to Barrett's former role on the board of Trinity Schools Inc, a private group of Christian schools that is affiliated with the People of Praise and, in effect, barred admission to children of same-sex parents from attending the school.," the article went on to say.

Coney Barrett's critics also point to the secretive faith group's "staunchly anti-gay beliefs," the Guardian added, "including – they say – expelling or ostracizing members of the People of Praise 'community' who came out as gay later in life or their gay children."

The Court is due to hear arguments in a case brought by a graphic dsigner who claims that nondiscrimination laws could oppress her freedom of religion as she embarks on designing wedding websites. Though she has yet to begin such work, Colorado resident Lorie Smith says that she would refuse to accommodate same-sex couples who are planning to wed.

"Barrett said in her confirmation hearing that her personal religious beliefs would not interfere with her abilities to be an unbiased judge," the Guardian recalled.

But People of Praise, its former members note, is more than a Sunday morning affiliation for its adherents, who are "encouraged to live communally, practice speaking in tongues and adhere to guidelines set by male leaders, or heads of a community."

Moreover, says former member Kevin Connelly, "The People of Praise has deeply entrenched, anti-gay values that negatively affect the lives of real people, including vulnerable youth.

"These values show up in the everyday policies of the People of Praise and their schools," Connelly added. "They are policies that are way outside the mainstream, and most Americans would be disturbed by them."

Another former member, Maura Sullivan, who was raised in the group, summarized the concerns around Justice Coney Barrett presiding over the upcoming case, or any case involving LGBTQ+ rights. "I don't believe that someone in her position, who is a member of this group, could put those biases aside, especially in a decision like the one coming up," the Guardian quoted Sullivan as saying.

"Barrett has never publicly acknowledged her membership in the community since becoming a judge and did not disclose it during her 2020 confirmation," the Guardian noted.

"It was reported at the time that the People of Praise erased all mentions and photos of her from its website ahead of her meetings with lawmakers."