No church? Kansas civil servant is fired

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A lawsuit filed against the Kansas secretary of state’s office in federal court alleges that Assistant Secretary of State Eric Rucker fired a woman because she would not attend a Christian religious service.

Courtney Canfield, who previously worked as a business-filing specialist at the secretary of state’s office, alleges that she was fired from her job in 2013 because she did not attend a prayer service.

The complaint, filed in federal court earlier this month, says Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach’s assistant invited Canfield to attend a service that would held at the secretary of state’s office by Dave DePue, a minister who serves as unofficial pastor of the Kansas Capitol.

“These invitations were distributed during normal business hours and included a ‘prayer guide’ to be utilized at that week’s service. Despite the repeated invitations, Plaintiff never attended such a service,” the lawsuit states. “While Plaintiff was a Methodist, she did not regularly attend church services or otherwise practice any particular religious beliefs in any way.”

The complaint says Rucker was aware of her lack of religious participation.

The lawsuit alleges that the assistant secretary of state visited the home of Canfield’s grandmother, who worked for the Kansas Republican Party, in November of 2013 and informed her of the plans to terminate Canfield’s employment.

“Mr. Rucker repeatedly and emphatically indicated a basis for her termination as the fact that, ‘She just doesn’t go to church,’” the lawsuit alleges.

Canfield was then officially told her employment had been terminated three days later, on Nov. 18, 2013.

She is suing for $75,000 in damages, alleging that she was fired on the basis of her lack of religious participation, in violation of the U.S. Civil Rights Act.

Rucker and the office are defendants in the lawsuit. The secretary of state’s office did not immediately comment on the lawsuit when asked Wednesday afternoon.