Scarnati: Prayer Will Continue to be Held on Senate Session Days

WARREN—Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati announced today that a possible lawsuit may be filed in the near future due to his belief that prayer should be continued in the chamber of the Pennsylvania Senate.

"I am disappointed and appalled that an anti-religious group from Washington, D.C., would challenge the Senate of Pennsylvania and me over the issue of beginning our session days with a prayer," Scarnati said. "Perhaps 'appalled' is not a strong enough word to describe my concerns over such an unreasonable claim. My convictions are very clear on this issue and they will remain so, as I certainly believe in the longstanding tradition of prayer in the Capitol."

Scarnati continued, "It is not hard to make decisions when you know what your values are. In this case, my values dictate to me to speak out, speak up, and stand up in order to make a difference. A position must be taken and I am making it unmistakably clear where my beliefs lie in this regard.

"Many of our core beliefs are being confronted every day in this great land of ours, and challenge and controversy seem to be the norm," added Scarnati. "However, to capitulate to radical fringe groups that advocate an atheist view is unacceptable. We must stick steadfastly to our core beliefs and preserve the right of prayer; yes, fight for our right to continue what all before us have done and we will continue to do.

"Make no mistake about it, I will battle to protect the right of prayer as an integral part of our Senate proceedings," concluded Scarnati.

Senator Scarnati thanked Lieutenant Governor Catherine Baker Knoll and Senate leaders Dominic Pileggi and Robert Mellow for standing with him on this issue.

(Letter will open in PDF form)