A federal court ruled in favor of a faith-based adoption agency and Chad and Melissa Buck, parents of five foster children with special needs, late Thursday, in a huge win for religious freedom and families. In Buck v. Gordon, St. Vincent’s Catholic Charities joined the Bucks in fighting the Michigan attorney general’s attempt to shut down faith-based foster and adoption agencies.

On Thursday, the court said “the State’s real goal is not to promote non-discriminatory child placements, but to stamp out St. Vincent’s religious belief and replace it with the State’s own.” Thankfully, the ruling means St. Vincent’s can continue to operate as litigation continues.