Pennsylvania town mulling prayer ordinance after ACLU threat

MONROEVILLE, Pa. (AP) — A western Pennsylvania municipality is studying an ordinance governing prayer before its council meetings after the American Civil Liberties Union threatened to sue over the Lord’s Prayer.

The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports Monroeville council opened Tuesday night’s meeting without the prayer for the first time in 14 years.

The ACLU last week sent the municipality a letter threatening to sue on behalf of an offended resident.

The ACLU says government-endorsed prayers violate the First Amendment, which courts have ruled bars governments from showing any kind of preference for a particular religion.

Mayor Greg Erosenko says, “It’s very sad that we have to take a look and change things.” Monroeville’s solicitor says the municipality is conducting “due diligence” to prepare the ordinance, but declined further comment.