Breaking: Federal Court Rejects Attack on Multi-Faith Invocations

Federal Court Rejects Attack on Multi-Faith Invocations
Fifth Circuit determines practice in Texas judge’s courtroom is consistent with the nation’s rich historical tradition of opening judicial proceedings with invocations

New Orleans, LA— Today, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit upheld Texas Judge Wayne Mack’s practice of recognizing volunteer chaplains—including Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist, and Christian religious leaders—who sometimes open court sessions with a brief invocation.  First Liberty Institute and the law firm of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP represent Mack.

A copy of the opinion can be read here.

“The Fifth Circuit rightly concluded that Judge Mack’s brief ceremony respects a rich historical tradition of opening judicial proceedings with an invocation,” said Bradley Hubbard, the Gibson Dunn attorney who argued the case in April.  “As the Court explained, the ‘history, character, and context’ of Judge Mack’s ceremony ‘show that it is no establishment at all.’”

“I am eternally grateful to the judges on the Fifth Circuit who upheld this historical practice,” said Judge Mack.  “I look forward to continuing to serve the people of Montgomery County.”… (Excerpt from First Liberty)