Controversy Erupts Over Religious Statues in Quincy, Massachusetts

Controversy Erupts Over Religious Statues in Quincy, Massachusetts

The community of Quincy, Massachusetts, finds itself deeply divided by plans to erect two large bronze statues of Catholic saints outside its new Public Safety Building. This decision has sparked heated discussions about the intersection of artistic expression, religious symbolism, and the separation of church and state.

In an interview with Fox News Digital, Joe Davis, senior counsel at the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, defended the city’s initiative. He stated that the proposed statues of Saint Michael the Archangel and Saint Florian represent a time-honored tradition of honoring bravery and sacrifice. He argues that this does not infringe upon the Constitution’s separation of church and state.

“This case centers on a city’s attempt to beautify a public area while honoring those who risk their lives for the community every day,” Davis emphasized. He noted the statues aim to inspire firefighters and police officers worldwide.

Details of the Proposed Statues

The statues, standing about ten feet tall each, carry a combined cost of $850,000. Quincy Mayor Thomas P. Koch commissioned these works in 2023 as part of the $150 million construction of the new Public Safety Building, which will house the city’s police and fire departments.

Community Backlash

The project has ignited a prolonged debate in the area south of Boston. Critics have raised concerns that using taxpayer money to display Catholic imagery on government property violates both the state constitution and the First Amendment’s Establishment Clause. In May 2025, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Massachusetts, alongside the Freedom From Religion Foundation and Americans United for Separation of Church and State, filed a lawsuit representing 15 residents from a range of faith traditions.

The plaintiffs assert that the statues communicate an “exclusionary message” that implies non-Catholic residents may be viewed as second-class citizens by their own government.

Legal Threats and Implications

The ACLU previously alerted city officials in a February 2025 letter, stating that the plan “plainly violates” the Massachusetts Declaration of Rights. The letter further contended that placing prominent statues of Catholic saints in front of a public structure unequivocally advances one religion over others. It emphasized that the depiction of Saint Michael conquering a demon was particularly disturbing.

Davis countered these claims, asserting that the city’s intentions align with American traditions of civic art that often incorporate religious elements. He argued, “If we assert that a symbol cannot appear in public solely due to its religious connections, we might have to remove a substantial amount of public imagery nationwide. The U.S. Supreme Court has statues holding significant religious meanings that also represent broader concepts of law and justice.”

A Comparison with Historical Precedents

He likened Quincy’s statues to the Bladensburg Peace Cross, which is a World War I memorial in Maryland. The U.S. Supreme Court upheld this cross’s constitutionality in 2019, suggesting that similar reasoning could apply to Quincy’s proposed works.

“That cross commemorated the war dead, while Quincy aims to honor its firefighters and police officers,” Davis remarked.

Political Repercussions

The Becket Fund plans to appeal the injunction currently halting the statues’ installation, hoping to clarify the legal status of public symbols with religious origins when utilized for secular purposes. Davis expressed optimism that the case could lead to an essential legal precedent on whether public art reflecting religious imagery can coexist in civic spaces.

“The matter might escalate to the intermediate Massachusetts appeals court or go directly to the Supreme Judicial Court,” he noted. This could prompt the court to address whether public symbols can be removed from the public domain merely because they have religious correlations.

Support for the Statues

Mayor Koch has maintained that the statues serve to “honor and protect” first responders. He pointed out that many police officers and firefighters possess medals or prayer cards featuring the same saints. Notably, artist Sergey Eylanbekov, who has previously sculpted monuments for the city, is creating these works in Italy.

Opposition from the Community

Critics allege that Koch initiated the project without public input or City Council authorization. The lawsuit indicates that payments to the artist began in 2023, yet most local officials and residents only learned of the proposal in February 2025 through a local newspaper’s publication of the building’s design showcasing the saints.

A petition opposing the statues garnered over 1,600 signatures, and an interfaith coalition comprising 19 clergy members from diverse religious backgrounds issued a public statement denouncing the display. They warned it could create a divisive environment in the community.

Legal Standards and Public Sentiment

The lawsuit claims the statues breach all four criteria outlined by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court for determining religious neutrality. While the federal high court abandoned this approach in 2022, Massachusetts courts continue to apply it under state law.

Davis argues that courts have historically acknowledged that government displays can possess mixed religious and secular meanings. He expressed concern over the implication that any public display with religious ties must be discarded.

“It’s troubling to suggest that a public symbol should be removed simply because some individuals view it as religious. This stance would provide a skewed portrayal of our history and culture by erasing religious elements that contribute to our identity,” he said.

The Future of the Statues

The legal battle may soon reach the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, where justices will deliberate whether public art featuring religious imagery infringes on the state’s strict separation between church and state.

Currently, the statues remain in storage overseas, awaiting shipment to Quincy later this year. City officials have indicated they will refrain from making further comments while the legal proceedings unfold.

“Quincy is engaging in a long-standing tradition of using art to pay tribute to those who protect and serve the community,” Davis concluded. “This is a gesture of gratitude, not a religious act.”

Fox News Digital has sought comments from both the ACLU of Massachusetts and the city of Quincy.