The Government has intervened to restore the power of local town council’s to pray at the beginning of their formal meetings after a High Court controversially ruled that the long-standing tradition was “illegal”, attracting strong criticism from government ministers and clergy across the country.
Government Secretary Eric Pickles has signed a Parliamentary order to quicken the introduction of a “power of competence”, which will give Council’s the authority to engage in any act which is generally lawful, including the holding of prayers.
The power, which can be found in the Localism Act, was previously due to be implemented in April but will come into effect for larger Councils immediately as a result of Mr Pickles’ intervention, rendering the High Court’s decision irrelevant.
Bideford Town Council
In a highly controversial judgement last week, the High Court ruled that it was “unlawful” for local town councils to begin their formal meetings with prayer.
The case was brought against Bideford Town Council by the National Secular Society (NSS), an anti-religion campaign group, after councillor and atheist Clive Bone complained about the Christian prayers which were said at the beginning of Council meetings, even though they were voluntary.
Eric Pickles
Mr Pickles said: "The High Court judgment has far wider significance than just the municipal agenda of Bideford Town Council.
"By effectively reversing that illiberal ruling, we are striking a blow for localism over central interference, for freedom to worship over intolerant secularism, for Parliamentary sovereignty over judicial activism, and for long-standing British liberties over modern-day political correctness.
"Last week's case should be seen as a wake-up call. For too long, the public sector has been used to marginalise and attack faith in public life, undermining the very foundations of the British nation. But this week, the tables have been turned.
“While welcoming and respecting fellow British citizens who belong to other faiths, we are a Christian country, with an established church governed by the Queen.
"Christianity plays an important part in the culture, heritage and fabric of our nation. Public authorities – be it parliament or a parish council – should have the right to say prayers before meetings if they wish. The right to worship is a fundamental and hard-fought British liberty.
The Department for Communities and Local Government has said that whilst large councils will be permitted to put prayer on their agenda, smaller councils, such Bideford, will not be able to resume the practice until March.
Comment
Alan Craig, of the Christian Peoples Alliance, wrote:
“While NSS celebrated their win on the minor technical point, they lost the major human rights and discrimination cases (which, apparently, they cannot appeal as they won the other) and have been exposed as proponents of a hard-faced small-minded illiberal secular fundamentalism that acts against free choice and local democracy. And on the way they’ve stirred up furious controversy and helpful public debate.”
Sources
Huffington Post
Resources
Christian Concern: High Court rules Council prayers unlawful
Christian Concern: Religious Freedom