Philadelphia, PA, January 3, 2008 ... The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) expressed disappointment over a Pennsylvania Supreme Court decision permitting the taking of private property through condemnation, and selling that property for an amount that was well below market value to a religious partnership so that it could develop a religious school.
ADL, together with the Jewish Social Policy Action Network, filed an amicus curiae brief, urging the Court to reject this form of direct financial aid to a religious entity.
"This decision unfortunately represents another setback for religious freedom in our country," said Barry Morrison, Regional Director, Eastern Pennsylvania/Delaware Office. "Pennsylvania tax payers should not be responsible for aiding or financing religious education in any fashion."
In a dissenting opinion, Justice Max Baer sided with ADL in stating that he believed the government action provided direct aid to a religious school, which is violative of the Pennsylvania and United States Constitutions.
