By KATELYN CORDERO
Prayer is officially removed from Newburgh City Council meetings and replaced with a moment of silence. The removal of prayer came after concerns expressed by Councilwoman Ramona Monteverde and discussions by council members.
“The thing about religion and prayer at a council meeting I’m not sure how I feel about that,” said Monteverde. “I actually am confused about why we have to pray at the beginning of the meeting. I consider myself a Buddhist and sometimes i find it offensive to hear the prayers at the beginning of the meeting. It doesn’t sit right with me and I think for 2019 it’s something we can think about as a council. I don’t like feeling that way I actually would like for someone to explain to me why we have to pray at the beginning of the meeting, why did that start and why do we have to continue to do that?”
Since expressing her concerns at the city council meeting on December 10, prayer was turned into a moment of silence at City Council.
It led to some discussions among councilmembers. The most vocal was councilwoman Hilary Rayford. At the council meeting on January 10, she stood up for the right to pray at meetings.
“I know prayer was asked for by Mayor Judy Kennedy,” said Rayford.
“[Monteverde] walked out when I was asked to pray. Being a brother or a sister in Christianity you have to believe in Jesus Christ. When you’re talking about humanity that’s a different story, but we do owe each other respect and that is true.”
Mayor Torrance Harvey stood by the removal of prayer out of respect for those offended. He said the issue is still up for discussion.
Rayford would like to see the moment of silence take place after the pledge of allegiance. She is looking to continue the discussion of prayer at city council meetings going forward.