REHOBOTH BEACH, Del.- Church members and Christians recited Hail Mary's, The Lord's Prayer and other prayers outside Rehoboth Beach City Hall, hoping city leaders would change their minds about the placement of their nativity scene.
Saint Edmond Roman Catholic Church in Rehoboth Beach was ordered to take down the creche last year after the city of Rehoboth Beach said religious displays weren't allowed on public property. The church had been setting up the creche near the bandstand.
The church held a prayer protest today outside city hall, hoping their prayers would change the city's mind.
"It's time that we stand up for the Lord and say you know what, we must keep Christ in Christmas. This is when the Lord was born and we're celebrating his birth," said Dolly Grazioli, a member of St. Edmond.
The city offered space outside the Rehoboth Beach-Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce for the creche. The Chamber of Commerce posted a statement that said: "While the Chamber is able to continue to offer space for the placement of the creche, the decision of where the creche will be located remains the decision of the City of Rehoboth Beach and the Church."
Father William Cocco of St. Edmond explained according to Christians and Catholics, Christmas is a celebration of Jesus Christ.
"We live in a world that's constantly pushing God out, pushing God out, we're not in the schools anymore, no public displays anymore and as Catholics, we think that's wrong," said Father Cocco.
Suraj Kumor, the owner of Indigo, a restaurant on Rehoboth Avenue, said religion is the cause of problems with the city and these problems are pointless.
"I personally think that it's our ignorance about godly things. Religions many times are the root cause of all these troubles around the globe," said Kumar.
Last year, Grotto's Pizza on Rehoboth Ave let the church set up their nativity scene on its property and has offered it again this year. Father Cocco told WBOC that the church is still deciding where to place their nativity scene this Christmas.