Faith group won bidding war for property, but officials backtracked and rigged results to deliver it to a ‘secular’ group
By WND Staff
A federal appeals court is scheduled on Monday to hear about the discrimination used by the University of Maine system against a Christian church which won a bid to purchase disused school property, but then was rejected because of its beliefs.
A report from Liberty Counsel, which is working on behalf of Calvary Chapel Belfast, explained the lower court claimed that it was fine for the school system to cancel the church’s winning bid “despite evidence of religious animus and numerous irregularities in the bidding process.”
“Calvary Chapel Belfast rightfully won the University of Maine System’s first bidding process, and the appeals court will have the chance to ensure the university honors that bid,” explained Liberty Counsel chief Mat Staver. “The church participated in the bidding process in good faith, but UMS then unlawfully rescinded their winning bid due to its religious beliefs after community backlash but under the excuse of procedural deficiencies. Such discrimination is unlawful, and an injunction is necessary to restore the church’s bid award and stop these unconstitutional actions.”