Massachusetts' highest court has blocked the City of Quincy from installing two 10-foot statues of Catholic saints honoring police officers and firefighters outside its new public safety headquarters. The statues depict St. Michael the Archangel, patron saint of police officers, and St. Florian, associated with firefighters.

The court upheld an October 2025 lower court decision that temporarily halted the installation, ruling that the monuments could improperly signal government support for one religion, potentially violating the Massachusetts Constitution's protections on religious neutrality.

The legal dispute began in May 2025 when faith groups and taxpayers sued the City of Quincy and Mayor Koch in Norfolk Superior Court. They argued that placing the statues on public property breached the state's constitutional requirement for government neutrality in religious matters.

Mayor Koch stated that the statues were chosen not to promote religion but to "honor, inspire and encourage our First Responders," aiming to "boost morale" and "ensure [first responders’] lifesaving work would remain maximally effective." He added, "Quincy’s firefighters and police put their lives on the line for this city every day, and these statues were chosen to honor their bravery, service, and sacrifice."

First responders of diverse religious beliefs and political affiliations reportedly cherish the saints for their symbolic importance to the profession.

Jessie Rossman, legal director at the ACLU of Massachusetts, emphasized the state's constitutional mandate, stating, "the government must remain neutral in matters of religion and must not elevate one faith above others."

The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, representing Quincy, told Fox News Digital that the legal battle is ongoing and vowed to continue fighting the ruling. They expressed disappointment but noted the decision is preliminary.

Sources