(Photo: WBOC)GEORGETOWN, Del. (AP)- A federal court judge says the Sussex County Council must stop reciting the Lord's Prayer at the opening of meetings because it likely violates the Constitution.
U.S. District Court Judge Leonard P. Stark's opinion issuing a temporary injunction supports four county residents who say the practice violates the First Amendment.
Stark's injunction takes effect June 15 but does not end the lawsuit.
Sussex officials had sought to have the lawsuit dismissed. They say the prayer is a call for spiritual guidance and does not favor any religion.
The judge has ordered both sides to hold a conference call with him on Thursday to discuss the next steps in the case.
