Ministers Defy City Council's Invocation Guidelines

Escondido, California city council has guidelines for the invocations that are given by clergy at Council sessions. In compliance with a 2002 state appellate court decision, council requires that the prayers not reflect specific religious traditions, though they can make generic references to God. The San Diego Union-Tribune reports today that clergy have been intentionally defying the guidelines. The most recent offender, Pastor Vincent Xavier, said: "It would be impossible for me to project what I believe is a very truthful prayer without invoking the name of Jesus Christ."