Court to Decide: Constitutional Crisis or Simple Facility Issue

ACLJ to Represent Connecticut School District in Law Suit over Decision to Hold Graduation in a Cathedral

WASHINGTON, May 6, 2010— Does a public school graduation being held at a local cathedral represent a dangerous intermingling of church and state or a practical decision based on smart financial management? 

The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) announced today that it will defend the Enfield (Conn.) School District in a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Americans United for Separation of Church and State over the school district's decision to hold this year's high school graduations at First Cathedral in Bloomfield. 

"It is foolish to think that religion will somehow rub off on someone simply by walking into a church," said Vince McCarthy, the ACLJ attorney representing the school district.  "This case will be another opportunity to demonstrate that religious phobia does not need to overrun common sense."

Enfield School District's decision to hold graduation at First Cathedral was mainly based on financial reasons.  In June 2009, The Enfield School District set aside a budget of $32,000 for graduations in 2010.  In addition, other venues were explored, each costing substantially more than First Cathedral.

While the Bloomfield Cathedral is an affordable venue, it also provides the best amenities, offering ample seating and parking, advanced audio visual capabilities and general comfort for graduates and their families.  In addition, student support for the cathedral venue is strong.  Student Board of Education representatives from both Enfield and Fermi High School stated that, after polling their fellow classmates, the vast majority wanted graduation to be held at the cathedral.  Also, students at both high schools signed a petition in support of the cathedral venue.

"The use of First Cathedral by the Enfield Board of Education does not constitute a violation of the Establishment Clause of the Constitution," said McCarthy.  "The law in this area is clear and well established and the United States Supreme Court has decided numerous cases involving public schools and the Establishment Clause.  Once again, those seeking to marginalize religion in America have turned the clearly secular use of a religious building into needless litigation."

Interview Opportunity:

Vince McCarthy is senior counsel with the ACLJ and specializes in cases involving family law in both federal and state courts.  He is available for comment about the Enfield School Board litigation.

Led by Chief Counsel Jay Sekulow, the American Center for Law and Justice focuses on constitutional law and is based in Washington, D.C.  The ACLJ is online at www.aclj.org. 

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