The Fifth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Monday refused to block a U.S. District Judge’s order to remove a Bible from a monument outside a Houston courthouse.

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals last year temporarily
blocked U.S. District Judge Sim Lake's order to remove the Bible.

Lake found that the display at the civil courthouse violated the
establishment clause of the First Amendment and last summer gave
the county ten days to remove the Bible.

Harris County is appealing the ruling that the display is unconstitutional and had asked the appeals court to allow the Bible to remain during the process.

The appeals court didn't address merits of the case but said Monday the Bible must go.

Attorney and real estate broker Kay Staley sued Harris County in
2003 claiming the display was offensive to non-Christians.

Officials from the Star of Hope homeless mission removed the Bible late Monday.