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Church serving homeless files lawsuit against town that blocked day center

A church focused on serving the homeless is suing the town of Elkton, Maryland, because its leaders say the town is hindering the church's expression of faith.

Carl Mazza, pastor of the Meeting Ground, says Elkton has blocked attempts by the church to open a day center which would meet a wide range of religious and social needs of the homeless, including Bible study, prayer and worship services, computer access, showers, food, and job training.

?It is unfortunate that things have come to this,? said Rev. Mazza. ?We tried as hard as we could to do our ministry, even offering to do only those things that were clearly work of the church, such as prayer meetings, Bible study, and worship services. But the town refused to consider even these activities. No one can be denied the right to witness to the living Jesus in word and deed, especially with and among persons who are poor, destitute, and homeless.?

The lawsuit, which was filed Monday in federal court in Baltimore, contends that the Town?s actions deprive the Meeting Ground and its members of their rights to freely exercise their religious faith under the U.S. Constitution and under the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act.

This isn't the first time Elkton has been sued over its policies toward the homeless. See previous posts here and here.

Full post as published by the 13th juror on July 08, 2008 (boomark / email).