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Supreme Court Confirms NYC Can Kick Religious Services Out Of Public Schools
By
Jen Chung
Published Dec 5, 2011
Modified Dec 5, 2011
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By
Jen Chung
Published Dec 5, 2011
Modified Dec 5, 2011
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Earlier this year, the U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that New York City public schools can prohibit religious worship services from its premises. The group representing the Bronx Household of Faith said it would appeal, and today the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear the case, allowing the earlier ruling to stand. Jane Gordon of the NYC Law Department told the Daily News, "The Court of Appeals correctly upheld the Department of Education's policy not to allow the City's public schools to be used as houses of worship."
The Bronx Household of Faith has been battling the city since 1995 for the right to hold services in public schools, claiming it was a First Amendment right. Today, co-pastor Jack Roberts said, "We’re extremely disappointed and believe that the Supreme Court has decided wrongly in this case, because it’s a constitutional issue that needs addressing. Allowing the NYC Department of Education to ban religious worship services doesn’t answer the question of what is the definition of ‘worship service.’ I see it as having a chilling effect on religious freedom in our country."
And the church's lead attorney said, "(The city) allows anything pertaining to the welfare of the community—that ranges from labor union meetings, to Alcoholics Anonymous groups, to filming episodes of ‘Law & Order’ - and one of the things prohibited is private worship services. When these school buildings stand empty on Sunday mornings, it benefits the community to open them up and allow religious groups to meet."
Now dozens of churches that hold services in schools may be kicked out by February of next year.
Tagged
nyc public schools
religion
school
supreme court
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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