Toto

<a href="http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&cid=536&ncid=536&e=19&u=/ap/20021004/ap_on_go_ot/americorps_lawsuit" target="_blank">Jewish Group Sues AmeriCorps </a>

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The American Jewish Congress alleges the Corporation for National and Community Service provides grants to parochial institutions, including the Alliance for Catholic Education. This allows such institutions to teach Christian values to AmeriCorps participants and to hold daily Mass and prayer services, the complaint said.

AmeriCorps members, who help more than 2,100 charities and religious groups with community improvement projects, are barred by their contract from participating in religious activities, it said.

The lawsuit was prompted by comments made by corporation officials in a television debate over a year ago, said Marc Stern, a lawyer for the American Jewish Congress.

Stern, who participated in the debate, recalled corporation officials admitting they had been sending people into Catholic schools for years.

The American Jewish Congress investigated and attempted to negotiate with the corporation, but filed the lawsuit when no action was taken, Stern said.

"We think some parts of this (case) are open and shut," he said. "We're not trying to put the national service corporation out of business. We're seeking to prohibit people from teaching religion or living in a religious community under the auspices of the government."

[ October 05, 2002: Message edited by: Toto ]</p>