Third Circuit: Ban On Religious Bus Ads Violates 1st Amendment

In Northeastern Pennsylvania Freethought Society v. County of Lackawanna Transit System, (3d Cir., Sept. 17, 2019), the U.S. Third Circuit Court of Appeals, in a 2-1 decision, held that the County of Lackawanna Transit System's ban on bus advertising that promotes religious views violates the First Amendment.  Plaintiff's proposed ad that featured the word "Atheists" along with the group's name and website was rejected under this policy. The majority said in part:

The 2013 policy’s ban on speech related to religion discriminates on the basis of viewpoint. And it is not a permissible limitation on COLTS’s forum, however that forum is characterized.

Judge Cowen dissenting said in part:

I do not believe that the transit system’s policy rises to the level of viewpoint discrimination. As the D.C. Circuit has recently explained, there is a critical difference between the prohibition of religious (and atheistic) perspectives on otherwise permissible subject matters—which constitutes viewpoint discrimination—and the exclusion of religion itself as a subject matter—which does not.

WNEP News reports on the decision.

Former Priest Charged With Lying To FBI

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania announced yesterday that it has charged former Catholic priest Robert Brennan with four counts of making false statements in order to  obstruct an investigation into complaints that he sexually abused a child when he was serving as a priest in Philadelphia. AP reports on the indictment. State criminal charges against Brennan had been dropped after his alleged victim died in 2013 of a drug overdose.

3rd Circuit Upholds Pennsylvania Legislative Prayer Policy

In Fields v. Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, (3d Cir., Aug. 23, 2019), the U.S. 3rd Circuit Court of appeals, in a 2-1 decision, upheld the invocation policy of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.  The state's legislative chamber invites guest chaplains to open sessions with prayer, but excludes non-theists.  It also posts a sign asking visitors to rise during the prayer.  Judge Ambro, writing for the majority said in part:

A group of nontheists have challenged the theists-only policy under the Establishment, Free Exercise, Free Speech, and Equal Protection Clauses of our Constitution. As to the Establishment Clause, we uphold the policy because only theistic prayer can satisfy the historical purpose of appealing for divine guidance in lawmaking, the basis for the Supreme Court taking as a given that prayer presumes a higher power. For the Free Exercise, Free Speech, and Equal Protection Clauses, we hold that legislative prayer is government speech not open to attack via those channels.

The nontheists also challenge as unconstitutionally coercive the requests to “please rise” for the prayer. We hold that the single incident involving pressure from a security guard is moot. As for the sign outside the House chamber and the Speaker’s introductory request that guests “please rise,” we hold that these are not coercive.

Judge Restrepo, dissenting as to the exclusion of non-theists, said in part:

[B]y virtue of the fact that the history and tradition of legislative prayer in this country is thus devoid of any history of purposeful exclusion of persons from serving as chaplains based on their religions or religious beliefs, the Pennsylvania House’s guest-chaplain policy—which purposefully excludes adherents of Plaintiffs’ religions and persons who hold Plaintiffs’ religious beliefs from serving as guest chaplains—does not fit “within the tradition long followed in Congress and the state legislatures” and therefore violates the Establishment Clause.

[Thanks to Adam Bonin for the lead.]

Author's Suit Against Libraries and Media Is Dismissed

In Egli v. Chester County Library System, (ED PA, Aug. 12, 2019), a Pennsylvania federal district court dismissed a pro se lawsuit brought by the author of a book on anti-Semitism against several libraries, and radio and television stations.  The libraries refused plaintiff's offer to present book talks, and the media defendants refused to interview him on air. The court said in part:

Libraries are not required to accommodate every book or proposed talk, but instead must determine based on their professional judgment which materials are deemed to have “requisite and appropriate quality” to occupy the limited space available. There is nothing in the Complaint to suggest that either MCLS or CCLS had policies or customs that are inconsistent with this constitutionally permissible discretion or that target certain viewpoints.

Pennsylvania Record reports on the decision.

3rd Circuit Upholds Cross On County Seal

In one of the first cases to rely on the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in June rejecting an Establishment Clause challenge to the 94-year old Bladensburg Cross, the U.S. 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals yesterday rejected a challenge to a Latin cross on the 75-year old official seal of Lehigh County, Pennsylvania. In Freedom From Religion Foundation, Inc. v. County of Lehigh, (3d Cir., Aug. 8, 2019), the 3rd Circuit said in part:

American Legion confirms that Lemon does not apply to “religious references or imagery in public monuments, symbols, mottos, displays, and ceremonies.”... Instead, informed by four considerations, the Court adopted “a strong presumption of constitutionality” for “established, religiously expressive monuments, symbols, and practices.”...

WFMZ News reports on the decision. [Thanks to Tom Rutledge for the lead.]

Confrontation Clause Satisfied Even Though Muslim Witness Had Face Partly Covered

In Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. Smarr, (PA Super., July 3, 2019), a Pennsylvania state appellate court held that the Confrontation Clauses of the U.S. and Pennsylvania constitutions were not violated when a trial court allowed the sole eye-witness to a murder to testify with a colorful scarf covering her mouth and nose. The witness, a Muslim, said that she wears a face covering on Fridays, when she goes to religious services, and whenever else she feels like it. She said she was wearing it to court out of concern for her safety. Focusing on the importance of protecting the witness' free exercise rights, the court said in part:

No precedent has established that a witness’s clothing or accessories renders a physical, in-court confrontation other than face-to-face, particularly where the clothing does not obstruct the witness’s eyes, and we decline to do so under the facts of this case. We therefore hold that Smarr’s right to be brought face-to-face with his accuser was satisfied....

[T]he jury could view Brown’s eyes, and to some extent, her facial expressions; her posture, her gestures, and her body language; hear her tone of voice, her cadence, and her hesitation; and observe any nervousness, frustration, or hostility.

Pennsylvania Appeals Court Reverses Statute of Limitations Dismissal of Clergy Abuse Case

In Rice v. Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown, (PA Super., June 11, 2019), a 3-judge appellate panel allowed plaintiff, who was a victim of clergy sexual abuse in the 1970's and 1980's, to move ahead with her suit alleging that the Diocese and its bishops committed fraud, constructive fraud, and civil conspiracy to protect their reputations and that of her childhood priest and alleged abuser. She sued after a Pennsylvania grand jury report detailed clergy abuse.  The trial court dismissed on statute of limitations grounds. However the appeals court reversed holding that only a jury may determine whether, for purposes of tolling of the statute of limitations, plaintiff reasonably investigated the Diocesan Defendants for their intentional torts.  It also held that since the statute of limitations may be tolled by fraudulent concealment, the Church's silence may constitute fraudulent concealment when a jury finds that plaintiff had a fiduciary relationship with a religious institution or its leadership. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette yesterday reported that the Diocese will seek en banc review.

3rd Circuit Hears Arguments In Contraceptive Mandate Case

Yesterday the U.S. 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals heard oral arguments (audio of full arguments) in Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. President of the United States. In the case, a Pennsylvania federal district court granted a nationwide preliminary injunction  against enforcement of the Interim Final Rules issued by the Trump Administration that expanded exemptions from the Affordable Care Act's contraceptive coverage mandate for those with religious or moral objections. (See prior posting.) Courthouse News Service reports on the oral arguments.

3rd Circuit: Philly May Require Its Foster Care Agencies To Accept Same-Sex Couples

In Fulton v. City of Philadelphia, (3d Cir., April 22, 2019), the U.S. 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals upheld against 1st Amendment challenges the City of Philadelphia's policy of refusing to contract with foster care agencies, such as Catholic Social Services, that will not place children with same-sex married couples.  The court said in part:

The City’s nondiscrimination policy is a neutral, generally applicable law, and the religious views of CSS do not entitle it to an exception from that policy. 

[A]t the preliminary injunction stage CSS shows insufficient evidence that the City violated the Free Exercise Clause. The Fair Practices Ordinance has not been gerrymandered..., and there is no history of ignoring widespread secular violations ... or the kind of animosity against religion found in Masterpiece. Here the City has been working with CSS for many decades.... And the City has expressed a constant desire to renew its relationship with CSS as a foster care agency if it will comply with the City’s non-discrimination policies protecting same-sex couples.

Philadelphia Inquirer reports on the decision.

Clearing A Courtroom OK'd For Testimony By Muslim Woman With Uncovered Face

In Copper v. Superintendent of Sci-Greene, 2019 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 59150 (ED PA, April 2, 2019), a Pennsylvania federal magistrate judge recommended rejecting a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel brought by convicted murderer Tyreese Copper.  Copper argued that his counsel should have objected that the way in which the trial judge accommodated the religious concerns of a Muslim woman who was one of the prosecution witnesses violated his right to a public trial. The witness was wearing a burqa. The trial court judge insisted that she uncover her face so that the jury could assess her credibility. The judge however agreed to clear public spectators from the courtroom while she testified with her face cover removed.

Pastor's Convictions For Corrupting Minors Dismissed

Christian Chronicle reports on a March 18, 2019 decision by a Pennsylvania trial court judge vacating a long-time Church of Christ youth minister's convictions for corruption of minors and indecent exposure.  Clyde Brothers, Jr. had been sentenced to five years in prison for showing pornographic movies and performing lewd acts in front of church boys. Granting a post-trial motion, however, the court held that the state's statute of limitations barred the prosecution.

Suite Challenges School's Restrictions On Bible Distribution

Suit was filed this week in a Pennsylvania federal district court challenging regulations and policies of the Mechanicsburg Area School District that limit student members of a school's Bible Club from distributing Bibles to classmates during lunch time hours. School policy allows non-school materials to be distributed only on public sidewalks outside the building and only for 30 minutes before and 30 minutes after school, except as otherwise permitted by the principal.  The complaint (full text) in Christians In Action Club v. Mechanicsburg Area School District, (MD PA, filed 1/30/2019) challenges these as "overbroad and unconstitutional time and place restrictions that impose a complete ban on literature distribution during the school day." The suit alleges that these restrictions violate students' free speech and free exercise rights both on their face and as applied. Cumberland Sentinel reports on the lawsuit.

Pennsylvania Supreme Court Says Names of 11 Priests Should Be Redacted From Grand Jury Report

In In re: Fortieth Statewide Investigating Grand Jury, (PA Sup. Ct., Dec. 3, 2018), the Pennsylvania Supreme Court in a 6-1 decision held that because of insufficient due process protections, the names of 11 priests petitioning the court should be redacted permanently from the publicly released grand jury report on sexual misconduct by Catholic clergy. The majority said in part:

... [T]he supervising judge’s limited review and approval of a grand jury report for public release gives it an imprimatur of official government sanction which carries great weight in the eyes of the public, and, thus, may compound the harm to a person’s reputation who is wrongly named therein. As such, we ordered the temporary redaction of Report 1 while we addressed the challenges to it. In the absence of any other viable remedy, we are compelled to find that these  redactions, with respect to Petitioners, must be made permanent.

We acknowledge that this outcome may be unsatisfying to the public and to the victims of the abuse detailed in the report. While we understand and empathize with these perspectives, constitutional rights are of the highest order, and even alleged sexual abusers, or those abetting them, are guaranteed by our Commonwealth’s Constitution the right of due process. It is the unfortunate reality that the Investigating Grand Jury Act fails to secure this right, creating a substantial risk that Petitioners’ reputations will be irreparably and illegitimately impugned....

Justice Baer filed a concurring opinion. Justice Dougherty also filed a concurring opinion, setting out procedures which he believes would provide adequate due process. Chief Justice Saylor dissented (full text), arguing that petitioners should be provided hearings (and an opportunity to testify, if they did not do so before the grand jury) before a judicial officer at which they are "provided the opportunity to advocate that the grand jury’s particularized findings of criminal and/or morally reprehensible conduct are not supported by a preponderance of the evidence." Philadelphia Tribune reports on the decision.

Suit Against Scranton Diocese Over Priest Sexual Abuse

In another lawsuit growing out of the Pennsylvania grand jury report released in August, a teenage sexual abuse victim-- now 29 years old-- filed suit on Tuesday against the Diocese of Scranton, three bishops, and former priest Jeffrey Paulish.  Paulish, who served several months in jail for abusing another 15-year old boy, was named in the grand jury report. According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:

Lawyers say they plan to subpoena the diocese for information about Paulish’s history in the diocese.

The grand jury report found that Paulish was transferred 11 times in his 18 years as a priest and was given leaves of absence both before and after their client says he was abused. They think that could mean that current Bishop Joseph Bambera was aware of Paulish’s abusive behavior before he was arrested in 2013.

Parents Sue Archdiocese and Pre-School Over Sexual Abuse

A suit was filed yesterday in a Pennsylvania state trial court against the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and a pre-school, St. Francis Learning Center, by parents of three toddlers who were sexually abused by a lay teacher.  The suit charges that the defendants did not properly screen the teacher and did not notify parents when other children made accusations against the teacher.  The Archdiocese said it promptly reported accusations to authorities. The teacher is serving a 4 to 8 year sentence after pleading guilty. AP reports on the lawsuit.

2 Philadelphia Police Officers Claim Anti-Semitic Harassment

Two Philadelphia police officers filed suit on Monday against the Philadelphia Police Department and Department supervisors alleging the creation and sanctioning of a racist, anti-Semitic and anti-Jewish environment. The complaint (full text) in Gonzalez v. City of Philadelphia, (ED PA, filed 11/19/2018) seeks damages for harassment, discrimination and hostile work environment in violation of 42 USC Secs. 1981, 1983 and 1985. WHYY News further summarizes the complaint:

The federal civil rights lawsuit claims an array of abuse — that the officers were not given time off to celebrate Jewish holidays, that a Nazi “SS” symbol and a German phrase meaning “skull and crossbones” were scratched onto their lockers, and that a police patrol car was marked with the Star of David with the words “Hebrew Hammer.”

Civil rights lawyers Brian Mildenberg, who is representing the officers, said those acts were intended to “scare and harass” Reznik, a Jewish immigrant born in Russia who is a 12-year veteran of the force.

Free Exercise Claim Over Search Warrant Execution Fails

In Brown v. Scanlon, 2018 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 194049 (MD PA, Nov. 13, 2018), a Pennsylvania federal magistrate judge recommended dismissing a free exercise claim growing out of the execution of a search warrant at the residence of Shannon Brown.  Brown claims that her 1st Amendment rights were infringed when police forced her to lie on the floor handcuffed in her underwear during the search.  She says that as a Muslim woman, being in a state of undress around men caused her to feel defiled and embarrassed. She also complained that she was forced to remove her head scarf for her mugshot at the courthouse.

Third Circuit Hears Arguments In Challenge To Foster Care Non-Discrimination Requirement

Courthouse News Service reports on Tuesday's oral arguments in the U.S. 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals in Fulton v. City of Philadelphia. In the case, a Pennsylvania federal district court rejected Catholic Social Services challenges to the requirement that it not discriminate against same-sex couples in foster care placement. (See prior posting.)

DOJ Investigates Clergy Sexual Abuse in PA, NY; New Civil Suit In Illinois

CNN reported yesterday that the U.S. Department of Justice has issued subpoenas to seven of the eight Catholic dioceses in Pennsylvania in the wake of a grand jury report on clergy sex abuse since 1947. (See prior posting).  Separately, the Justice Department reportedly subpoenaed documents relating to pornography, transporting victims across state lines and cell phone and social media use from the Buffalo diocese in late May.

Meanwhile AP reports that a civil suit was filed yesterday in Illinois federal district court against all six dioceses in Illinois and the Catholic Conference of Illinois charging a continued cover-up of clergy sexual abuse.   Specific instances of child sexual abuse are charged against three of the dioceses. The suit seeks damages as well as the public disclosure of all priests that have been accused of sexual molestation.

Suit Seeks More Information On Clergy Abuse In Pennsylvania

Yesterday a class action lawsuit was filed in a Pennsylvania state trial court alleging that eight Pennsylvania Catholic dioceses continue to cover up sexual abuse by priests despite the recent Pennsylvania grand jury report on clergy abuse. The suit was brought on behalf of victims of clergy sexual abuse and children currently enrolled in Catholic schools. The lawsuit seeks injunctive relief ordering dioceses to release all information in their possession regarding predatory priests, including the names of predatory priests that were redacted from the grand jury report. AP and York Daily Record report on the lawsuit.

In a related report, yesterday the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette published a background story on Daniel Dye, the state Attorney General's prosecutor who led the grand jury investigation of abuse by Catholic clergy.  The paper says that since the release of the grand jury report, the Attorney General's office has received 1,000 calls from people reporting abuse.