Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Check out what s clicking on Foxnews.com.
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).
(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.
Newsom s restrictions on indoor religious services ruled valid by federal judge
FacebookTwitterEmail
1of6
Calvary Chapel in San Jose has been fined for gatherings exceeding the 100-person limit.Josie Lepe / Special to The ChronicleShow MoreShow Less
2of6
Attendees hug as they enter the service at the Calvary Chapel in San Jose, California on Sunday, December 13, 2020. Calvary Chapel, which has been found in contempt of court and fined for continuing to hold indoor services despite the lockdown in Santa Clara County, which only allows worship outside.Josie Lepe / Special to the ChronicleShow MoreShow Less
3of6
4of6
Members of the Calvary Chapel San Jose congregation return to their vehicles as they leave a service at the Calvary Chapel in San Jose on Dec. 13, 2020. A federal judge says Gov. Gavin Newsom’s shutdown of indoor religious services in most of California protects public health without violating religious freedom.Josie Lepe / Special to the ChronicleShow MoreShow Le
Newsom s restrictions on indoor religious services ruled valid by judge By Bob Egelko
A federal judge says Gov. Gavin Newsom’s shutdown of indoor worship services in most of California is a valid measure to protect public health and protects religious freedom by allowing outdoor services, unlike the New York restrictions struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court.
Harvest Rock Church of Pasadena and Harvest International Ministry, affiliated with 162 California churches, argued that Newsom’s orders violated the constitutional standards set by the high court in its Nov. 25 ruling on the New York case.
After President Trump’s appointment of Amy Coney Barrett to succeed the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the Supreme Court rejected the reasoning of its May 30 decision allowing an earlier version of Newsom’s limits on indoor worship services and barred New York state from restricting religious activities more tightly than secular businesses. A panel of the Ninth