Bishop McCort Catholic Academy initiated a federal civil rights lawsuit on January 23rd, against the 19 public schools within the Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference, claiming a coordinated effort exists to expel faith-based members. The academy, located in Johnstown, asserts that the public schools conspired to violate its First Amendment rights by attempting to remove Bishop McCort, Bishop Carroll, and Bishop Guilfoyle from the conference. Bishop McCort stated that the litigation is necessary to protect its “Constitutionally protected First Amendment right to offer a faith-based academic program” that includes access to extracurricular athletics without discriminatory state conduct. Despite the lawsuit’s claims of an imminent push-out, all 22 conference members—including the three Catholic schools—were formally approved for membership renewal through 2031 during a January 27th meeting. Even though the schools were renewed, the civil rights case remains open.
Friday 6th February 2026
