Church Bars Father From Taking Daughter to Easter Mass

We previously followed the dispute between Joseph Reyes and his ex-wife over the religious upbringing of their daughter, here. The judge in the case has now barred Joseph Reyes from bringing his daughter to Easter mass in a ruling that raises some troubling questions under the first amendment and parental rights.

Without question, Reyes has been begging for sanctions, particularly after he baptized his daughter without the mother’s consent. The mother is raising the 3-year-old girl in the Jewish faith with the support of the Court.

Barring the daughter from attending church with her father is problematic since she can be raised in the Jewish faith but the father can still expose her to his religion. It will be interesting if Reyes challenges this order. His past conduct, however, may cloud the appeal. Absent his past alleged violation of the court order, this would be a promising challenge.

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