The Executive Council of the Episcopal Church has decided not to use a hotel in Denver, Colorado, for its General Convention this July, even though it had booked the facility two years ago.

The United States Department of Justice is bringing charges against the Adams Mark Hotel chain which allege a wide pattern of racial discrimination by the company. A report in the Washington Post alleged that in an investigation by the Justice Department had been found the hotel chain to overcharge black customers, turn them away, or provide them with inferior rooms.

"The church had intended to hold many of its hearings, meetings and events in the Adams Mark hotel facilities and had also reserved a large block of guestrooms at that hotel," said a statement signed by Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold. "The church is not in a position to assess the merit of the discrimination suit against the hotel chain, but other reports from local leaders citing similar problems with the Adams Mark in Denver, led us to recommend to the council that the church not go forward with the planned arrangements to use any of the facilities of that hotel."

Over 900 rooms had been reserved at the Denver hotel for the July meetings. The Denver Post reported that there would a $1.2 million cancellation payment.

Executive officer of the General Convention, the Revd Rosemari Sullivan, said that her staff would find a way to make up for the loss of nearly a thousand rooms and other meeting space at the hotel, despite the difficulties a change at this stage would mean.

Article from: Episcoal News Service