ACLU Takes RLUIPA Case in Pennsylvania

Evangelical pastor Rev. Jack L. Wisor was giving shelter to four homeless people in his church in downtown Brookville, PA. When he was ordered to move them on a zoning violation, Wisor - and the ACLU - sued the city.

1 minute read

November 30, 2008, 5:00 AM PST

By Tim Halbur

"The suit claims violation of the First Amendment, as well as the federal Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act, which largely prohibits local governments from preventing religious organizations from carrying out their missions.

'At the core of this is that it's difficult for the borough officials to wrap their mind around the concept that church use is more than a Sunday service,' said Witold J. Walczak, the organization's legal director. 'This entire church is set up to help the least fortunate.'

On Tuesday, a day after the lawsuit was filed, a federal judge granted a 60-day consent order that would allow Mr. Wisor to continue to use the site as a shelter while the two sides try to negotiate a permanent settlement."

FULL STORY: Shelter Is Forced Out, and a Suit Follows

Saturday, November 22, 2008 in The New York Times

Land Use Pennsylvania Religious Land Use

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