April 21, 2010

Wisconsin federal judge rules National Day of Prayer unconstitutional

By Cindy Wooden

WASHINGTON (CNS)—Despite a Wisconsin federal judge’s ruling that the National Day of Prayer is unconstitutional, this year’s observance of the day will go forward just as it has since 1953.

The White House said the ruling does not affect plans by President Barack Obama to issue a proclamation for the day, May 6, as mandated by law. U.S. District Judge Barbara B. Crabb in Madison, Wis., said in an April 15 ruling that the federal law designating the day and requiring a presidential proclamation for the day violates the First Amendment prohibition against laws respecting an establishment of religion.

However, she postponed enforcement of the decision until all appeals are exhausted. The U.S. Department of Justice said it was reviewing the ruling before deciding whether to file an appeal.

The day was challenged by Madison-based Freedom From Religion Foundation. Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki of Milwaukee, who has often criticized the “religion of secularism,” told the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel daily newspaper that the ruling was a “missed opportunity to acknowledge our nation’s identity, which was founded on our dependence on God.”

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