Hannibal-LaGrange University Fights Federal Religious Mandate

Hannibal-LaGrange University in Hannibal, Mo., is seeking a religious accommodation from a hold-over Biden administration regulation many see as unconstitutional. The regulation requires independent religious bodies to cosign financial responsibility agreements with religious universities such as Hannibal-LaGrange. The university, which is affiliated with the Missouri Baptist Convention, said this mandate interferes with the autonomy of religious institutions, forcing them either to assume unprecedented financial liabilities or else relinquish their right to appoint trustees according to their religious doctrines.

“Demanding that Missouri Baptist churches give up their religious rights or face financial ruin is contrary to the First Amendment and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act,” said Jon Whitehead, counsel for the university, according to The Pathway. “This regulation threatens the religious autonomy of Baptist, Catholic and other denominational institutions and undermines longstanding principles of nonprofit governance,” a concern echoed in recent debates over federal oversight of religious institutions.

Because the U.S. Department of Education refused to process the university’s program participation agreement without the co-signature, it already has lost access to more than $500,000 in Prison Pell Grants for eligible students. Hannibal-LaGrange anticipates losing $250,000 per semester in the future. In addition, failure to secure a renewed agreement by 2026 would prevent Hannibal-LaGrange from participating in Title IV programs entirely, creating devastating consequences for the university and its students, similar to what has been reported regarding religious colleges facing federal scrutiny.

Robert Matz, Ph.D., president of Hannibal-LaGrange, initially sought administrative relief from the department but received no response, compelling the university to pursue legal options. “The co-signature mandate is discriminatory and unconstitutional,” he said. He encouraged the department to align its actions with recent executive orders on religious liberty, protecting institutions like Hannibal-LaGrange that play a vital role in their religious communities.

The university has asked the department for dialogue aimed at swiftly resolving this issue in accordance with constitutional protections and recent presidential directives. The ongoing debate over federal mandates and religious freedom highlights the broader national significance for faith-based institutions.

–Dwight Widaman