New Jersey —
FFRF’s work saw the Gloucester City Public Schools system remove opening invocations from future Gloucester City Middle School’s National Junior Honor Society induction ceremonies.
A district parent informed FFRF that during Gloucester City Middle School’s National Junior Honor Society induction ceremony on May 7, the school invited a pastor to perform two prayers, an invocation and a benediction. During the ceremony, the pastor repeatedly directed the audience to participate in the prayer and to say “Amen.” The parent stated that they were uncomfortable and upset when the pastor was brought in to conduct a prayer, but felt forced to stay as they did not want to miss or ruin an important milestone for their child. Parents and students were reportedly not informed ahead of time that the ceremony would involve prayer.
“Here, the school crossed the line by allowing [the pastor] to lead students and guests in prayer as an official part of the induction ceremony,” FFRF Staff Attorney Madeline Ziegler wrote. “The inclusion of an invocation and a benediction coerced all in attendance to observe and participate in a religious exercise.”
FFRF received an email from Superintendent Sean Gorman, confirming that corrective action had been taken. “After reviewing the matter and your concerns, we will be ceasing the tradition moving forward,” he wrote.
