NYC churches can meet in schools, judge rules

A federal judge ruled Friday (June 29) that churches and other faith groups can continue to meet in New York City public school buildings for worship services.

Judge Loretta Preska of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York granted the churches a permanent injunction against the New York City Department of Education, determining that the city's policy of prohibiting worship violates the Free Exercise Clause and the Establishment Clause of the U.S. Constitution.

The city, the court said, is permanently forbidden from denying churches' applications to rent space in public schools for meetings that include religious worship. The city is expected to appeal. Read more