WASHINGTON — The U.S. Justice Department recently disclosed a 2007 ruling by its Office of Legal Counsel that permitted the relief agency World Vision to keep a $1.5 million grant despite its policy of hiring only Christians.
World Vision successfully sought an exemption from a statute that requires grant recipients to refrain from hiring discrimination on the basis of religion. The grant was for a program aimed at reducing youth involvement in gangs.
“We determine that it is reasonable to conclude that requiring World Vision to comply with the nondiscrimination provision as a condition of receiving the grant would ‘substantially burden’ its religious exercise,” wrote Deputy Assistant Attorney General John P. Elwood in the opinion issued June 29, 2007.
Justice Department spokesman Erik Ablin said the delay between the signed opinion and its Oct. 14 publication online followed an “ordinary course” of review.
“The department stands strongly behind the opinion, which is narrowly drawn and carefully reasoned,” he said.
In a statement, Richard E. Stearns, president of World Vision, United States, said, “A faith-based organization can retain its identity through its hiring freedoms and still receive government funding.” He said World Vision has a policy against proselytizing and does not discriminate in its delivery of services.
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