NY state officials reconsider "separation of church and state"

NY state officials reconsider "separation of church and state"

A Watertown, New York, church is holding their Easter services in a downtown government building after filing suit over a state policy prohibiting the use of public buildings for religious activities.

Relevant Church pastor Robert Mikowski was denied use of the Dulles Office Building in March when a government official told him New York's requirement for "separation of church and state" prevented any religious activities from taking place in the building.

The church filed suit, and an injunction was issued last week in U.S. District Court. Government officials are now allowing the church to use the building's meeting facility Sunday while they re-evaluate their policy -- a policy that allows other groups access for non-religious functions.

"Government officials do not have the right to discriminate against Christian groups by singling them out for exclusion," said Senior Counsel Joe Infranco of the Alliance Defense Fund, who is representing the church.

"Once the state opens up a building for community groups to rent, state officials must be fair and allow equal access to all groups, including churches."