Enfield’s “in-church graduation” appeal ends in failure . . . this year

After being denied a request for expedited appeal, the Enfield School Board has decided not to pursue holding its graduation ceremonies in a church this year.

Until this year, Enfield and four other school districts in the area held their graduation ceremonies at the First Cathedral megachurch. Last fall, the American Civil Liberties Union(ACLU) sent a letter informing the five districts that the ACLU would pursue legal action if they persisted in holding official functions at the megachurch. Four districts backed down. Enfield also originally voted to find another location.

The Family Institute of Connecticut, a conservative Christian organization which lobbies state government, publicized the case, claiming it was an issue of religious freedom. Enfield decided to fight the case after the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ), a Constitutional law firm headed by one of the nation’s top evangelical Christians, offered to bear all the legal costs.

Enfield went to court, and U.S. District Judge Janet Hall determined that the history of the Board’s decision made it clear that it was a case of government favoring or promoting one religion. She also explained in her decision that forcing students to choose between missing their graduation or going to a religious house of worship amounted to coercion.

The Enfield School Board voted not to appeal. Then, days later, voted to appeal after all.

Yesterday, the U.S. 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals denied an ACLJ request for an expedited appeal of Judge Janet Hall’s May 31 ruling, since the school board had already made plans to hold the graduation on school grounds. The school’s attorney from the ACLJ, Vincent McCarthy, filed a motion for reconsideration Monday evening, but withdrew it today.

“We are not pursuing a motion for reconsideration,” said McCarthy. “We don’t have a decision in our favor today, and the schools needed to proceed with planning for graduations.”

Related articles:

1. Enfield School District: “In-church graduation” may be back on
2. School to appeal ruling on ‘in-church’ graduation ceremony
3. Enfield school board votes not to seek injunction against ‘in-church graduation’ decision
4. FFRF complaint helps stop Calif. graduation prayer
5. FFRF stops fourth-grade ‘field trip’ to Ohio Nazarene church