SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) The concern as we head into Christmas is that a lot of people aren t listening to the COVID-19 recommendations and that includes one San Jose church that continues to defy health orders, even as fines and court orders pile up. What I ll say about Calvary Church it s beyond disappointing, the situation there is shameful, said James Williams, counsel for Santa Clara County, They are facing over a million dollars in fines, they ve been held in contempt of court, we ve gone back in for additional contempt proceedings not just against the church but against the specific individuals who are aiding and abetting these violations.
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A California church has lost again in court in its bid to legally welcome congregants for services despite Gov. Gavin Newsom’s shutdown orders because of spiking coronavirus infections.
In a decision Wednesday, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals rejected the Harvest Rock Church of Pasadena’s request for a temporary restraining order against the state’s worship-related restrictions so that it could hold Christmas services.
The decision was 2-1 in favor of upholding the state’s restrictions. Ruling in favor of the state were judges Johnnie B. Rawlinson (appointed by former President Bill Clinton) and Morgan Cristen (appointed by former President Barack Obama).
Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times via AP, Pool
And now for some good news! Los Angeles County public health officials have ceased their unconstitutional oppression of religious assemblies like that of Pastor John MacArthur and the congregation of Grace Community Church.
In an announcement posted Saturday, officials declared that:
The Los Angeles County Health Officer Order will be modified today to align with recent Supreme Court rulings for places of worship. Places of worship are permitted to offer faith-based services both indoors and outdoors with mandatory physical distancing and face coverings over both the nose and mouth that must be worn at all times while on site.
(CN) A federal judge Monday again denied a California church’s request to block state restrictions on indoor gatherings, saying the church is still free to hold outdoor religious services and that lifting the rules would likely contribute to the spread of Covid-19.
“If plaintiffs were to immediately resume numerically uncapped indoor worship, it is likely that this indoor worship like any indoor activity involving members of multiple households would contribute to the spread of Covid-19, straining already-stressed public health infrastructure and filling already-packed ICUs,” U.S. District Judge Jesus Bernal said in his 14-page order denying Harvest Rock Church’s request to overturn California’s rules.