GREAT FALLS -- Council meetings in this eastern Chester County town will be without prayers mentioning Christ from now on, unless town leaders can get a higher court to reverse a federal judge's recent decision.

Great Falls Mayor H.C. "Speedy" Starnes Jr. said Saturday that the town plans to appeal a decision by U.S. District Court Judge Cameron McGowan Currie that says town officials can no longer invoke the name of Christ -- or any other specific deity -- during prayers offered before Town Council meetings.

"We're certainly disappointed in the decision, but we will comply," Starnes said.

Currie's ruling, handed down Thursday, was in reference to a lawsuit filed against the town by Darla Kaye Wynne, a Wiccan high priestess and Great Falls resident.

Wynne's lawsuit claimed town officials violated the First Amendment of the U.S. Cons-titution by using the name of Jesus Christ in prayers offered before or after meetings.

According to the 17-page ruling, Wynne proposed in late 2000 that prayers be limited to only mentioning "God" or that members of different religions be invited to give prayers. In February 2001, the Town Council decided to continue with the customary prayer.

Starnes said Saturday that has been the practice "ever since we've had a council." The town was incorporated in 1968.


The Herald