The United States Supreme Court is considering whether to take up a case that could draw the civil courts into a dispute over one of the Church’s oldest papal collections, after a Rhode Island Catholic sought to force the return of what he claims are millions of dollars in Peter’s Pence donations. The case turns on whether judges may examine how bishops and priests described the purpose of the offering, or whether such questions are protected from state scrutiny by the First Amendment.
Peter’s Pence has long been presented as an annual expression of solidarity with the Pope and his mission. In the United States, the bishops describe it as supporting humanitarian initiatives, social projects and the work of the Holy See itself. The plaintiff, David O’Connell, filed suit in 2020 arguing that Catholics were led to believe the collection was directed solely to urgent charitable relief, when in fact some of the money also went towards Vatican administrative costs.
