Easter Breakthrough! NYC's Mayor De Blasio Extends Grace to City Churches

News Staff : Apr 2, 2015
CBN News

Mayor de Blasio has said he wants to allow congregations the same access as any other group.

(New York City)—[CBN News] Christian congregations in New York City that rent space in public schools will be able to hold Easter services in city schools this Sunday. (Photo via Wikipedia)

According to Religion News Service, the office of City Mayor Bill de Blasio said it would work to ensure it.

On Monday, the US Supreme Court rejected an appeal from the Bronx Household of Faith that sought to overturn a ban on after-hours worship services at public schools.

Pastor Robert Hall, with the Bronx Household of Faith, spoke with CBN News about these developments. Click here to watch.

"Now that litigation has concluded, the city will develop rules of the road that respect the rights of both religious groups and nonparticipants," the mayor's spokesman told RNS.

RNS reports that Monday's decision, issued without comment, was the third time the high court rejected an appeal by the church, which for years held Sunday services at a local public school.

The church finished work on its own building last year, but still needs extra space for events that include religious services.

The New York City Board of Education reportedly said it had opposed churches from renting space in city-owned buildings so as to not violate the so-called "separation of church and state."

But Mayor de Blasio has said he wants to allow congregations the same access as any other group.

Earlier this year, the de Blasio administration decided to permit preschool classes to break in the middle of the day for prayer or religious instruction.