World News
No decision reached on keeping chapel image in Steubenville city logo
Published: August 7, 2012
STEUBENVILLE, Ohio (CNS) -- The City Council of Steubenville has not reached a final decision on whether it will keep a silhouette of Franciscan University's chapel in an unofficial city logo. News outlets reported in late July that the city has been threatened with a lawsuit by the Wisconsin-based Freedom From Religion Foundation, which claims the use of the chapel image in a public logo raises constitutional questions. The logo design was unveiled last December, and afterward the foundation contacted the city on behalf of a resident who complained about the religious imagery. Supporters of keeping the chapel image in the design delivered a petition to the City Council, which met July 31. Council members said they have not decided whether to adopt the logo as is and fight a lawsuit or choose a new design. Gary Repella, law director for the city, told Catholic News Service Aug. 7 there was no indication when the council would reach a decision. Before putting a final decision on hold, the City Council announced its intention to remove the image of Christ the King Chapel, rather than face a costly lawsuit. On July 24 the council offered Franciscan University a chance to be represented in the design by another campus building, which the university declined. "No other campus symbol or architectural feature so immediately identifies the university," said Michael Hernon, university vice president of advancement, in a July 25 statement.
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