Cleveland diocese, city council in stained glass windows 'stand-off'

Stained glass windows in landmark Catholic churches in Cleveland now closed or expected to close are at the center of a dispute about the process of removing them from the buildings.

Should the diocese be required to go through the standard procedure of getting prior permission from the Landmarks Commission or can the diocese side-step the city's rules pursuant to a special one-off deal with the mayor?

All the usual elements are at play: freedom of religion, special treatment for the diocese, threats of litigation, possible political payback by city council members who are angry with the diocese for its massive church closings in Cleveland and abandoning poor neighborhoods, and of course, money.

Cleveland's WYKC Channel 3 reports on the story.