Austin- The Texas Supreme Court will hear a case of first impression this week in Pastor Rick Barr & Philemon Homes, Inc. v. City of Sinton. This will be the first case at the high court interpreting the Texas Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) and the first case determining the rights of church ministries to serve ex-prisoners.
The case has caught national and international attention in part because the Texas RFRA was signed into law by then Gov. George Bush and in part because interpreting the Texas law will have implications on a national level.
“This case not only involves the crucial religious freedom of churches to minister and change lives,” said Kelly Shackelford, Chief Counsel, Liberty Legal Institute. “The outcome of this case will affect the religious freedom of every citizen, since every citizen is protected by either the U.S. or Texas RFRA.”
Pastor Barr sought legal recourse after the city of Sinton passed zoning laws banning Philemon Homes from the city. The ministry’s purpose is to assist and restore non-violent criminals upon release from prison. The trial court and Corpus Christi Court of Appeals ruled in favor of the city, finding the Texas RFRA did not protect the pastor and church ministry.
Liberty Legal Institute, along with Gibson, Dunn and Crutcher LLP, are now representing Pastor Barr and Philemon Homes before the Texas Supreme Court. Oral argument begins this Thursday morning, March 22.
“The City of Sinton has expelled the Philemon Homes ministry from city limits. That is precisely the kind of government burden on religious activity that should have triggered robust judicial review under Texas RFRA,” said James C. Ho of Gibson, Dunn and Crutcher LLP, who will be delivering oral argument. “Texas RFRA does not guarantee a particular result, but it does guarantee a particular process.”
To set up an interview, please call Nicole at 972-423-3131 x102 or e-mail nhay@libertylegal.org. The Liberty Legal Institute is a legal organization committed to the defense of religious freedoms and First Amendment rights.