2 of 2

AJC cites the Catholic Network of Volunteer Service (cnvs) as one example. cnvs received an $800,000 federal grant for 2003; $15,481 in grant funds helped to pay for the cnvs national conference, where AmeriCorps instructors were taught about bringing spirituality into the workplace.

Last year 232 participants (15 percent of all cnvs AmeriCorps participants) were teaching in private sectarian schools. The suit does not say how many AmeriCorps members taught religion on government time. The AJC also cited two other groups for using federal funds with the principal intent of advancing religion.

Barbara J. Elliott, executive director of the Houston-based Center for Renewal, told CT that existing guidelines are legal and that AmeriCorps members should have "the freedom to give [religious] instruction on their own time, as it is their constitutional right."

Copyright © 2003 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

Other coverage of the suit includes:

Jewish Group Sues AmeriCorps—Associated Press (Oct. 4, 2002)

The Becket Fund For Religious Liberty this month filed an amicus brief (PDF format) for Americorps. The groups has posted a page on the case online, along with a press release. The AJC complaint is also available on the Becket site.

first page |  2 of 2

share this page

March 2003, Vol. 47, No. 3