A Roman Catholic group dedicated to a popular Italian saint sued a southeastern Michigan township Wednesday after the local government rejected plans for a chapel and prayer trail in a wooded area. The project was approved by the planning commission in Livingston County's Genoa Township, but the township board rejected it, 5-2, on May 3.
Catholic Healthcare International said the township violated the First Amendment as well as a federal law that protects religious groups from discriminatory land policies. The chapel would have 95 seats, and the parking lot would have 39 spaces. There would be a small outdoor altar and a prayer trail.
