Legal Dispute Over Statue of Catholic Saint in Quincy, Massachusetts
A legal conflict is unfolding regarding a statue of a Catholic saint intended for installation outside the public safety headquarters in Quincy, Massachusetts. This dispute could even escalate to the U.S. Supreme Court.
The case centers around the statues of St. Michael the Archangel and St. Florian, with attorneys from both sides now anticipating a decision from the Massachusetts Supreme Court. Reports indicate that the mayor had selected a statue crafted by an Italian artist to be placed at the new location.
These figures are recognized as the patron saints of police officers and firefighters, and they are documented in the National Catholic Register. The mayor mentioned that if the situation reaches the Supreme Court, it “might determine whether religious artwork has a place in public spaces.”
Construction of Quincy’s $175 million, 122,000-square-foot public safety building was completed by mid-March 2026. However, the two 10-foot-tall bronze statues were not part of the initial plan and were later integrated by Mayor Thomas Koch at an estimated cost of $850,000, following City Council approval several years back. Based on an artist’s rendering submitted to the court, the statue is intended to be positioned midway along one of the building’s exterior sides.
In May 2025, after local media reported on the statues, a group of 17 residents filed a lawsuit in state Superior Court. They argued that the presence of the statue breaches the Massachusetts Constitution, which ensures equal protection of religious practices while prohibiting the dominance of one religious sect over another.
The plaintiffs receive legal representation from the ACLU of Massachusetts, along with support from the national branch, Americans United for the Separation of Church and State, the Religious Freedom Foundation, and Cloherty & Steinberg LLP.
The city’s defense is managed by the Becket Fund for Religious Freedom, with senior counsel Joseph Davis asserting that “the ACLU’s stance is against art and history.” He expressed confidence that the judge would dismiss their claims.
“We won’t conceal beautiful civic art merely due to its religious connections. Massachusetts law doesn’t dictate that. Quincy has every right to honor our first responders with symbols that have motivated bravery and sacrifice for many years,” he added.
According to a report, one of the statues depicts St. Florian, a fourth-century Roman soldier and early firefighter who is shown extinguishing a fire, while the statue of St. Michael symbolizes protection against evil as he engages with the devil.
Both figures hold significance to firefighters and police officers globally, and their representations have appeared in Western art over the centuries.
Despite the ACLU of Massachusetts claiming that the statue aims at “advancing religion,” briefs from both the National Fraternal Order of Police and the Massachusetts Fraternal Order of Police argue that St. Michael is honored across various faiths.
“First responders from diverse backgrounds, beliefs, and political views, including Catholics and Christians, value both saints for their meaningful representations in their professions,” the brief stated.
