Church had challenged Governor Newsom’s coronavirus restrictions.
In an order earlier this week, the Supreme Court vacated a lower court’s ruling against a church in California with instructions to reconsider their challenge in light of the Court’s recent rejection of restrictions on prayer services in New York.
Harvest Rock Church had challenged Governor Gavin Newsom’s restrictions on the number of people allowed at houses of worship due to the coronavirus pandemic. The church’s legal argument was based primarily on the First Amendment’s Free Exercise Clause, saying the governor’s order is illegal because it restricts the size of religious gatherings while treating non-religious groups and activities differently. It also cited case law surrounding the First Amendment’s Establishment Clause, claiming that imposing criminal penalties on people who go to a house of worship influences them to stay away.
“The September 2 order of the United States District Court for the Central District of California is vacated, and the case is remanded to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit with instructions to remand to the District Court for further consideration in light of Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn v. Cuomo,” the Supreme Court said in its present ruling.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For leaders of states and municipalities to consider the constitutionality of the restrictions they are placing on public gatherings, and, in particular, on gathering in houses of worship.
- With gratitude for the Supreme Court’s ruling in support of religious liberty and the Constitution.
- For the pandemic to come to an end.
Sources: Fox News, Law360
