NYC Churches Gain Temporary Win in Lawsuit against Board of Ed

Aimee Herd : Feb 28, 2012
Lillian Kwon – Christian Post

"The court's order allows churches and other religious groups to meet in empty school buildings on weekends just as non-religious groups do while the lawsuit proceeds." -Jordan Lorence, ADF.

(New York, NY)—According to a Christian Post report on Friday, Churches in New York City have been granted a preliminary injunction against a ban by the city that kept them from holding worship services in public schools.

District Judge Loretta Preska's court opinion on the ban cited "excessive governmental entanglement with religion" and stated that the ban violates the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment. (Photo: Pastors Pray in NYC-The Christian Post/Nicola Menzie)

The lawsuit is between plaintiff; Bronx Household of Faith vs. the NY City Board of Education.

The Alliance Defense Fund has been defending the Bronx church and senior counsel Jordan Lorence noted, "The court's order allows churches and other religious groups to meet in empty school buildings on weekends just as non-religious groups do while the lawsuit proceeds. The city's view of the First Amendment is wrong, and we intend to continue to demonstrate that in court."

The ban had previously gone into effect Feb. 12th, and it affected over 60 other churches in the city.

The Board of Education plans to appeal Friday's injunction.