Catholic group granted Memorial Day Mass permit after being previously denied

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — The Knights of Columbus Petersburg Council 649 were granted their permit to host a Memorial Day Mass service after being denied last year.

Last year their permit was denied, citing a Biden administration National Park Service policy memorandum that was interpreted to prohibit religious services on any Park Service cemetery grounds.

Following a lawsuit against the National Park Service, Attorney General Jason Miyares gave an amicus brief in support of the Knights of Columbus. The lawsuit was dismissed after an agreement was made.

Miyares gave a statement on Thursday in response to the change:

“I’m pleased that the Petersburg Knights of Columbus was granted access to observe Memorial Day and gather to pray and mourn the loss of fallen military personnel. The First Amendment very clearly allows religious and non-religious groups to hold these types of gatherings on government grounds. It’s shameful and un-American that they were denied in the first place.”

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