US church council backs limited prayer in school

The executive committee of the National Council of Churches gave its support to proposed legislation allowing limited public school prayer. It approved a resolution allowing the council to testify before Congress on behalf of a bill sponsored by Sen. Mark Hatfield (R) of Oregon, which would permit high school students to meet voluntarily for prayer and other religious activities at schools. The council continues to oppose state-sponsored school prayer legislation such as that advocated by President Reagan.