Two religious freedom scholars, who will be arguing religious freedom versus governmental rights before the U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday, will be appearing on the same panel of DePaul University College of Law's Center for Church/State Studies two-day conference Feb. 27 and Feb. 28. Their appearance in Chicago will follow their oral arguments before the high court, representing opposing sides, in the City of Boerne vs. Flores.

The two attorneys, Marci Hamilton, law professor at Cardozo School of Law at Yeshiva University and Douglas Laycock, Alice McKean Young Regents Chair in Law at the University of Texas at Austin School of Law, will appear together on a panel entitled "Religion in Politics--Is it a Good Idea for Society?"

That panel is scheduled for 1 p.m., Feb. 28 in Room 8005 of the DePaul Center, 1 E. Jackson Blvd.

"Although the conference does not directly address the Boerne versus Flores case, both Laycock and Hamilton will discuss the appropriate balance between government regulation and accommodation of religious freedom at the DePaul conference," said Craig Mousin, the center's executive director.

Hamilton, representing the city of Boerne, Texas, and Laycock, who will appear on behalf of Archbishop P.F. Flores of San Antonio, will argue their case on Feb. 19.

The case involves the denial by Boerne officials of the request of a Catholic church from enlarging its 1923 revival mission-style building in a historic district in Boerne. The church wanted to enlarge its building because it could not accommodate the number of worshipers who wanted to attend mass. The city contends that the new construction would detract from the city's protection of historical landmarks.

The case is the first Supreme Court test of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993, which directs governmental bodies to accommodate certain religious practices. The issue at stake is whether the 1993 law unconstitutionally alters the balance of power between various branches of government and the church.

DePaul's two-day conference on "Religion and Politics" will feature nationally recognized experts in political and religious thought and will examine impact of religion on the 1996 election. It is open to the public, and will be held in Room 8005 of the DePaul Center, 1 E. Jackson Blvd.

The center, which is non-denominational, has been in existence for 15 years, and is dedicated to informing the public about the protection of the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. It does not take positions on constitutional issues or become involved in litigation.

There is a $50 registration fee to attend the conference.

For more information or to make reservations call Mousin or Jennifer Donham at the center at 312/362-8818.