Churches across California are moving their services back indoors after the U.S. Supreme Court gave its blessing.
The high court ruled Friday that California cannot continue banning indoor worship services for now, although the justices did uphold the state’s ability to limit indoor capacity to 25 percent and restrict singing.
"I am glad churches and synagogues will fall under the same safety rules which govern retail shopping and gambling casinos, and we will no longer be singled out for arbitrary restriction by the government," said Bishop Michael C. Barber, SJ, of the Oakland Diocese. "We look forward to welcoming our congregations back inside our churches, at 25% capacity, and following all COVID safety procedures. The High Court’s decision is a victory for religious liberty rights for all Americans."
Indoor worship services had been prohibited in California counties that fall under the purple tier, which currently covers all but four counties.
San Francisco’s Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone, who defied state and local health leaders in December when he gave his pastors permission to resume indoor services, said the Supreme Court decision means he and his congregation can worship "without risk of harassment from government officials…this is our identity; it is in our very nature to gather in person to give honor and glory to God. Especially as Catholics we know that our worship cannot be livestreamed."
While many church leaders said the decision came too late for them to resume indoor services by Sunday, that was not the case at Calvary Chapel in San Jose, which has continued to hold mask-less indoor services in violation of health orders.
"I’m so thankful for the Supreme Court allowing us to be indoors…the first amendment is our right to gather, it’s our right to worship," said Pastor Mike McClure.
Calvary Chapel has been fined over $1 million for defying health orders.
Santa Clara County officials said that despite the court’s rulings, indoor gatherings are still prohibited.
But not all religious leaders supported the ruling.
Dean Malcolm Clemens Young, who leads the Grace Cathedral in San Francisco, told the Chronicle that he was grateful instead that his services have not put anyone in danger.
"We’re trying to follow the science and we’re trying to be patient."
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