A federal judge has ruled in favor of the Catholic Diocese of Wichita in a lawsuit filed by three Hispanic families.

The lawsuit challenged a policy that requires students to speak only English while at St. Anne Catholic School. Proceedings began Monday before U.S. District Judge J. Thomas Marten.

The lawsuit sought an end to the policy and asked for an order barring similar policies at other Catholic schools in the Wichita diocese.

The plaintiffs claimed the policy violated the Civil Rights Act and another federal statute by intentionally discriminating against sixth-grade students. The families also alleged that the policy caused a hostile educational environment.

"This case was about a teacher's or administrator's right to discipline students in a private Catholic school," said Father Thomas Leland, St. Anne pastor. "There must be unity and discipline for learning and spiritual formation to take place."

The diocese contended the English-only rule is not discriminatory and did not cause a hostile environment. It argued the rule was implemented at St. Anne Catholic School as a legitimate response to inappropriate behavior by a few middle school students.

Fr. Leland went on to say that the lawsuit only served to be very divisive and hurtful to the Wichita Catholic parish.

"In that regard, there are no winners," Leland said.