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Lawsuit Seeks To Halt Baptist Group's National Election

By Howard M. Friedman

In Washington, D.C. yesterday, Rev. Henry J. Lyons of Tampa, Florida filed a lawsuit attempting to enjoin Thursday's scheduled election for president of the National Baptist Convention USA-- the oldest and largest predominantly Black religious denomination in the U.S. The election is being held in connection with the Convention's Annual Session in Memphis. AP reported yesterday on the move by Lyons who was forced out as president of the denomination in 1999 after he was charged with stealing for personal use some $4 million of the church group's funds. He was convicted and served nearly 5 years in prison. An earlier AP story has more background on Lyon's run for office. Lyons' lawsuit claims that the denomination's new bylaws governing who can vote in the election violate its constitution.

Full post as published by Religion Clause on September 09, 2009 (boomark / email).