Bible ordered removed from courthouse display

HOUSTON - A Bible was removed from a monument outside a downtown courthouse Monday while local officials appeal a federal judge’s ruling that the display is unconstitutional.The action came after the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans lifted its block of the judge’s order in August to remove the Bible.Kay Staley, a real estate broker and lawyer, had sued Harris County on grounds the display was offensive to non-Christians.The appeals court did not address the merits of the case, but said Monday the Bible must be removed. The court also refused to allow the homeless mission responsible for the display to intervene in the appeal.