Religious leader reacts to change in MO funeral protest law

CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO (KFVS) - It's a law put in place mainly to prevent groups like Westboro Baptist Church from protesting at things like military funerals, but now the American Civil Liberties Union of Missouri has challenged the ruling and won, calling the law unconstitutional.

It's a change one Cape Girardeau religious leader calls disrespectful.

The law put in place in 2012 stopped protests those of the Westboro Baptist Church at military funerals these from happening around churches. It was a move Brother David Migliorino, principal at Notre Dame High School, said helped ensure respect inside and outside a church.

"There is a time and a place to protest and disrupting someone's worship service is not the time or the place," Migliorino said.

However, the measure didn't only stop Westboro. The law banned anyone from intentionally disturbing the order or solemnity of a house of worship through profane discourse, rude or indecent behavior.

"Regardless of what your faith is, why would that be okay?" Migliorino said.

The ACLU claims the law goes against the First Amendment. The ACLU of Missouri's executive director said. "It is un-American to create legislation, like the House of Worship Act, for the sole purpose of targeting speech that some may find objectionable."

However, others, like Brother David, disagree saying outlawing rude could infringe on the right to worship.

"I understand what they're saying. I totally disagree with it because then it's also against my right, I have the right to kneel, worship, and expect that place to be a sanctuary, to be a place of prayer, not a place of disruption and upheaval," Migliorino said.

He said it comes down to respect, something that's instilled in students at Notre Dame High School.

"We teach reverence, respect, the respect of other people's places and opinions," Migliorino said.

The ACLU challenged the law on behalf of a group called the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests. Their side of all this is to be allowed to stand outside churches and peacefully hand out leaflets, hold signs and speak out.

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