Judge rules in favor of home prayer meetings

NEW MILFORD, Conn. — A federal judge has ruled that a New Milford, Conn., family can legally hold prayer meetings in its home.

The Sept. 30 decision by U.S. Magistrate Judge Holly Fitzsimmons came three years after the American Center for Law and Justice filed suit in U.S. District Court in Hartford, Conn., on behalf of Robert and Mary Murphy.

The couple had held weekly prayer meetings and Bible studies in their home since the mid-1990s. After neighbors complained about traffic from the gatherings, the zoning enforcement officer for the town ordered the family to halt the sessions.

Fitzsimmons had issued a preliminary injunction against town officials in 2001, which permitted the meetings to continue.

“By issuing a permanent injunction, the court clearly ruled that the cease and desist order issued by the town is not only wrong, but unconstitutional,” said Vince McCarthy, senior counsel of the law firm founded by religious broadcaster Pat Robertson, in a statement.

“We’re grateful that our clients will now be able to use their private residence for prayer without the fear of governmental interference.”