Supreme Court to hear the Saguenay city hall prayer case
Catholic Mayor Jean Tremblay fought for years to say a prayer before public meetings
The Supreme Court of Canada has agreed to considerwhether elected officials should have the right to recite a prayerat Saguenaycity council meetings.
The case involves a challenge by the Quebec Secular Movement (MLQ).
MLQ presidentLucie Jobin said the organization is delighted with the news.
"This case brings thedifficult and delicate question of the religious neutrality of the state to the forefront," Jobin said.
The fight to say prayers atSaguenay'scity has been led bySaguenay Mayor JeanTremblay, an outspoken Catholic.
He released a statement on Thursday, saying he would not be commenting until he had time to review the SCOCsreasons for its decision.
The case dates back to 2007, when SaguenayresidentAlain Simoneaufiled a complaint with the QuebecHuman Rights Tribunal.
Read the prayer
Before the opening of eachpublic meeting, SaguenayMayor JeanTremblay crosses himself "in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit" and recites a prayer.
The 20-secondprayer (said in French) endswith another sign of the cross and an "Amen."
The prayer:
"O God, all powerful and eternal, from whom comes all power and wisdom, we are assembled in your presence to ensure the well-being and prosperity of our city.
Grant us, we beseech thee, the light and energy necessary so that our deliberations contribute to promote the honour and glory of your name and the spiritual and material happiness of our city."
Simoneaurequested anend to prayers at public meetings as well asthe removal of religious symbols at city hall, including the crucifix and a Sacred Heart of Jesus statue.
In 2008, the Quebec Human Rights Tribunal ruled in Simoneau's favour,concluding thatprayer goes against the city's obligation to remain neutral on religion.
The Tribunal orderedthe mayor of Saguenay to remove the religious symbols from city hallandto stop praying before council meetings. Italsoa awardedSimoneau$30,000 in damages.
Tremblay successfullyappealed that decision, and in 2013 theQuebec Court of Appealruled that prayers at city hall do notinfringe on a persons freedom of religion.
The Quebec Secular Movement responded by taking its challenge to the country's top court, which will now hear the case.
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