Supreme Court rebuffs Catholic agency over same-sex foster care.

A general view of the U.S. Supreme Court building in Washington, on Nov. 15, 2016. (Carlos Barria / Reuters file)

The case underscores increasing tensions between advocates for religious groups seeking exemptions from anti-discrimination laws and gay rights proponents.

The U.S. Supreme Court declined on Thursday to force the city of Philadelphia to resume the placement of children in need of foster care with a Catholic agency that refuses to accept gay couples as foster parents.