CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Twenty-four hours after Charlotte’s mayor announced that prayer at city council meetings was a thing of the past, it appears that the tradition could be back sooner than later.
The backlash started almost as soon as Mayor Jennifer Roberts announced Monday night that city council had unanimously agreed to stop the prayers on the advice of the city attorney, Bob Hagemann. By 8:30 a.m. Monday, Hagemann had emailed council members to clarify his position.
“Just to be clear, I have not concluded and have not advised that the council's invocation practice is unconstitutional,” Hagemann wrote.
On Tuesday, the two people who want to replace Roberts as mayor said her announcement came as a surprise.
“We have not had mass outcry. We have not had a decision from the courts saying it needs to be changed,” Republican Kenny Smith said.
Smith said he would like to see prayer that is inclusive and non-denominational continue.
“I often pray for wisdom for our body. I pray for the afflicted. I pray for our first responders,” Smith said.
Vi Lyles, the mayor pro tem and Democratic candidate for mayor said she agrees.
“I believe that prayer is an important value and we can do this and build our community,” Lyles said.
She also said she does not believe Roberts had a mandate when she announced the end of prayers at council meetings.
“I do not believe that was a unanimous decision for moving forward in the future,” Lyles said.
Late Tuesday morning, Roberts sent an email appearing to backtrack on her announcement.
"There is now some confusion about the unanimous head nods and agreement at our meeting; therefore, I am referring this issue to the Governance and Accountability Committee for open discussion," Roberts wrote.
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