What say you oh tolerant ones?
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Giant Cross Stirs Controversy in Vermont
WPTZ ^ | 8-23-10 | Jackie Bender
LYNDON, Vt. -- Richard Downing and his wife Joan used to light up their 24-foot cross outside of their chapel during holy seasons. The town's development review board has already limited the number of days it can be lit up, and now officials want the cross taken down entirely.
"They felt that because of aesthetics it did not meet the character of the neighborhood, and so therefore, should not be there at all," said Municipal Manager Dan Hill of the Act 250 decision.
The Downings are appealing both rulings. They told Newschannel 5 that they are trying to appease neighbors by offering to plant trees around the cross, investing in dimmer lights and blocking out the light on certain sides of the cross. They want the cross to stay standing, and to be lit during Advent, Lent, and Mary's birthday.
"If it was a commercial thing and just any old sign, that would be fine," said Richard Downing, "But this is a cross. It's an integral part of any Catholic church. I've never seen a Catholic church that didn't have a cross on it."
Neighbors and town officials said the objection is not religious, and mostly concerns the lighting. But the Downings said the rulings have become an obstacle to their religious practices.
"We just think that they're infringing on our rights to practice our religion, and I think that they've gone a little too far in this case," Downing said.
A court ruling on the cross is expected in November.
