Suburban Santeria Priest Appealing Animal Slaughter Ban

April 8, 2008

Author: Staff Writer

Source: ABC

Wire Service: AP

http://www.kltv.com/Global/story.asp?S=8138532

A Santeria priest who lost a federal suit alleging Euless's ban on animal slaughter encroached on his religious rights is appealing the case.

The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty filed an appeal Tuesday on behalf of Jose Merced to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans.

Merced is an Oba, or Santeria priest. Animal sacrifices are an essential devotion in Santeria. The religion was born in Cuba by Yoruba slaves who fused elements of Roman Catholicism with beliefs they brought with them from Africa.