River baptisms, such as the one that Pastor Todd Pyle of Cornerstone Baptist Church performed on Mark Maynard last month, are permitted, though church groups question the Park Authority's new regulations.

River baptisms allowed but Park Authority's policy is still questioned

By JESSICA ALLEN

Date published: 6/19/2004

Churches happy that river rites are not in jeopardy

Though Fredericksburg area Christians can still be saved in the waters of the Rappahannock River, civil liberties and religious groups say the Fredericksburg-Stafford Park Authority's new group-use policy poses problems.

Ten members of the Cornerstone Baptist Church were baptized last weekend without interference and New Generation Church plans a smaller river baptism ceremony this weekend.

The controversy arose after park officials told the Rev. Todd Pyle, Cornerstone's senior pastor, that the group's baptism on May 23 violated the agency's park-usage policy. A dozen were baptized that day while about 50 members looked on at Falmouth Waterfront Park.

Park officials adopted a policy last week that states officials "will not discriminate against any user group based on content or the nature of its activity."

But that's the first step, according to advocates.

The Rev. Pat Mahoney, a Spotsylvania County resident who heads the Christian Defense Coalition, said policy is not much different from what they had before. The new policy states:

"The Director and his staff shall have the authority to restrict access to user groups whose activity interferes with the peaceful enjoyment of FSPA facilities by the public or other user groups."

"Large user groups that use portions of the parks for organized activity may be asked to obtain a use permit if the Director or his staff determine that a special allocation of facilities is necessary based on the size of the group, the space needed for the activity and the demand on the use of the space by the public."

"It seems that in the regulation they want their cake and eat it, too," said Mahoney, who wants to meet with the Park Authority board of directors to see if they can come up with a better policy.

Kent Willis, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia, said these policies are asking for trouble.

"The two points give too much discretion to park officials to decide who gets to use the park and who does not," he said.

There needs to be a specific requirement for obtaining a permit.

Willis said he had spoken to two park officials prior to the adoption of the new policy. He also sent a letter suggesting the policy include precise and reasonable rules in regards to permit requirement.

Date published: 6/19/2004