Knights of Columbus Secures Permit to Host Memorial Day Mass at Poplar Grove National Cemetery
The Knights of Columbus will be able to hold their Memorial Day Mass on Monday, May 27, at the Poplar Grove National Cemetery in Petersburg, Virginia, just in time for Memorial Day. This comes after the National Park Service (NPS) granted a permit allowing the religious service to take place on the cemetery grounds.
The decision marks a significant victory for the Knights of Columbus, who had initially been denied a permit by the NPS. The agency had cited a new policy designating “religious services” as prohibited “demonstrations,” requiring them to be held outside the cemetery, despite allowing other events within the grounds.
First Liberty and volunteer attorneys filed suit earlier this week
In response, First Liberty Institute, alongside volunteer attorneys from the international law firm McGuireWoods LLP, filed a federal lawsuit earlier this week challenging the NPS policy. They argued that the government cannot disfavor faith-based organizations and gatherings simply because of their religious nature. The lawsuit highlighted that under the First Amendment and other federal laws, religion and religious groups receive favored treatment and protection.
“The Knights are thrilled that they will be able to exercise their religious beliefs and keep this honorable tradition alive. We appreciate the tremendous support of Governor Youngkin and Attorney General Miyares in this case,” stated First Liberty Senior Counsel Roger Byron.
Gratitude for service moving forward
John Moran, a partner at McGuireWoods, expressed gratitude towards the NPS for allowing the Knights to hold their service this Memorial Day. “We are grateful to the NPS for allowing the Knights to hold their service this Memorial Day,” he said.
The agreement with the NPS comes just in time for the Memorial Day Mass, ensuring that the Knights of Columbus can continue their long-standing tradition of honoring fallen soldiers with a religious service at the historic cemetery.
