New Jersey

NJ Borough Orders Catholic Church to Stop Housing Homeless

A Catholic church in New Jersey has been ordered by the borough of Palisades Park to stop using its basement as a sleeping area for the local homeless.

The demand comes nearly a week after a homeless day laborer was found dead in the basement of St. Michael Roman Catholic Church, NJ.com reported

The Bergen County Medical Examiner has yet to release a cause of death for the 34-year-old. He was one of approximately six day laborers that the church's pastor, the Rev. Minhyun Cho, took in during a recent cold spell.

Borough administrator David Lorenzo says St. Michael doesn't have the zoning or permits to operate its basement as a residence.

Cho says he's worried others will die if they are forced to sleep on the streets.

Copyright The Associated Press
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