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San Diego Agrees Church Can Feed the Poor Without a Permit

By Howard Friedman

On Monday, a California federal district court issued an Order of Dismissal (full text) in Pacific Beach United Methodist Church v. City of San Diego, (SD CA, April 21, 2008). The San Diego Union-Tribune reports that the settlement allows plaintiff church to continue feeding the homeless in its building without obtaining a city permit. The settlement provides that the city will not cite the church for violations in connection with its "Wednesday Night Ministry activities, which include Plaintiffs? religious practice of sharing common meals with the community and providing ministry, food and other care to the poor, the homeless and others in need in the community." The city will still be able to conduct inspections and enforce other laws applicable to the meal service. (See prior related posting.) [Thanks to Blog from the Capital for the lead.]

Full post as published by Religion Clause on April 24, 2008 (boomark / email).