QUEBEC - A Quebec municipality has won a high-profile battle to begin council meetings with a prayer.
The provincial appeal court has reversed the decision of a lower tribunal in the case of Saguenay, Que.
The court overturned the prayer ban in a decision made public today, saying that reciting a prayer does not violate the religious neutrality of the city.
Quebec's human rights tribunal had issued a ruling in 2011 ordering a stop to prayers. It also insisted that the crucifix in the city council chamber be removed and that damages be paid to a resident who complained.
The mayor of Saguenay, Jean Tremblay, fought that ruling in court and raised money from religion supporters for his case, through a website.
During that time, the prayers had been replaced by two minutes of silence.
