NYC Mayor Allows Faith Groups to Meet in Schools

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said he would allow religious groups to keep meeting for worship in the city's public schools.

Tuesday's announcement came after the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the state's ban on religious services in public schools.

The ban was instituted under former Mayor Michael Bloomberg. But de Blasio said he believes a faith-based organization has a right like anyone else to use those spaces in schools.

"(They) play a very, very important role in terms of providing social services and other important community services and I think they deserve that right," he said.

The April 3 ruling by the appellate court merely allows, but does not compel the city to enforce the ban.

"We will, as a result of the court decision, will update our rules and refine our rules to make clear some specific parameters," de Blasio said.