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Mar 14, 2008 4:28 pm US/Central
Group Of Churches Threatens To Sue City Of Plano
PLANO (CBS 11 / TXA 21) ―
A group of churches in Plano is threatening to sue the city for religious discrimination if officials do not have a change of heart by May 1, National Prayer Day.
Parishioners at WillowCreek Fellowship were busy feeding the needy on Friday, but it was not the loaves in the bag bringing concern to the church. Rather, it was the Bread of Life, spiritual food that the church claims the city is taking away.
"We need to have a day that we can pray," said Dorothy Dunn, one of the church members.
For 13 of the past 15 years, Pastor Roy Frady and his group of eight Plano churches has been given access to the chambers of Plano City Hall on May 1, National Prayer Day. But this year, another group, the City of Plano Multicultural Outreach Committee (MCOR), has been given access to the chambers, and the church was denied.
"They have violated the Constitution," said Frady. "You can't give preferential treatment to one group over another. You have to remain neutral."
Access to the chambers are given 90 days out, on a first come, first served basis. Frady said that he met the requirements and was the only person to formally request access to the chambers.
MCOR was given access to the chambers in advance of the 90 day rule as an official city function. City official Mary Alice Garza said in an e-mail that "MCOR was asked by the City of Plano to organize the National Day of Prayer for 2008." She said that this action came after complaints about the church taking the facilities each year.
The church had previously missed out on the chambers in 2005.
On Friday, attorneys for the churches drafted a complaint to the city. The city responded by stating that the denial was fair, but that complaints are being reviewed. Plano officials are reserving further comments for now. The city council could address the matter at a meeting later this month.
"We're giving them until March 26," said Frady. If the situation is not resolved by then, attorneys for the church say that they will sue. Meanwhile, all that parishioners can do is pray.
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