Federal court dismisses suit filed by priest during government shutdown
May 08, 2014
A federal district court has a dismissed a lawsuit filed by Father Ray Leonard, a civilian chaplain who was temporarily barred from celebrating Mass at a naval base during the government shutdown.
Father Leonard filed his lawsuit on October 14; according to the court decision, the priest was informed on the following day that he could continue to celebrate Mass at the base despite the shutdown. The court dismissed Father Leonard’s claim because he is not suffering ongoing injury and “because the likelihood that these events will reoccur is, at best, speculative.”
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Further information:
- Full text of ruling (USCourts.gov)
- Chaplain's Complaint Over Actions During Government Shutdown Dismissed As Moot (Religion Clause)
- Chaplain files suit against US policy barring civilian chaplains from military bases during shutdown (CWN, 10/15)
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