Williams also said that, so far, none of those penalties have been paid.
While McClure and his staff skirted the rules, Federal records show Calvary Chapel San Jose collected $340,400 in forgivable loans from the US Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), as part of the CARES ACT COVID relief package passed last year. That apparent contradiction irks the county officials who have been fighting McClure and Calvary Chapel in court.
“It’s disappointing that on one hand, they would choose to willfully put people’s safety at risk in this time of crisis in our community, and on the other hand, [seek] taxpayer support for their operation,” said Williams. “This is about keeping our community safe. And it s not just the gathering indoors. There s no face masking, no social distancing, no compliance (at Calvary Chapel) with any of the very basic protocols that apply to everyone in our community,” Williams said.
The Orion welcomes readers’ feedback and opinions. Please use the comment section to tell us how you feel about the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in South Bay United Pentecostal Church v. Newsom (2021).
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled on Feb. 5 that California may still enforce limited restrictions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in churches, but the state may no longer ban indoor worship.
Some Chico religious leaders are celebrating the 6-3 decision.
“[O]ne of the big things we’re seeing is just the need for the spiritual, emotional and physical health of our people that comes from spiritual sustenance,” said Pastor Donald Jackson of Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church in Chico, located at 750 Moss Ave. “We are grateful for the ruling, and the value that the Supreme Court has seen in religious liberty and practice in our state.”
Maine Church Asks Supreme Court to Relax Pandemic Restrictions
A Maine church is asking the Supreme Court to put Maine Gov. Janet Mills’s strict pandemic-related restrictions on places of worship on hold while it appeals an unfavorable ruling from a lower court, arguing the high court has already forced some lower courts to comply with its recent rulings loosening such restrictions.
The emergency application in the case, known as Calvary Chapel of Bangor v. Mills, asks the high court to stop the Democratic governor’s clampdown on churches, which the church’s lawyers describe as “the most severe restrictions in the nation on places of worship,” and would deal with a Dec. 22, 2020, ruling against the church by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 1st Circuit.
Governor Gavin Newsom ordered salons, gyms, churches and to stop all indoor operations amid rising coronavirus cases in San Diego and across the state. These businesses must do so by midnight Tuesday, or first thing Wednesday morning. “[It’s] a lot of uncertainty. We don’t know what’s gonna happen,” said Jorge Chavez, owner of Blends Hairquarters in North Park. Chavez. Covid-19 Jun 29, 2020
Governor Gavin Newsom on Friday urged Imperial County to reimpose stay-home orders amid a surge in positive coronavirus tests there as officials in several counties also expressed concern over rising positive test rates and hospitalizations. Newsom said Imperial County leaders would be permitted to decide on how to proceed, but if they don’t agree to act “I am committed.
WASHINGTON, D.C. â Liberty Counsel has filed on behalf of Calvary Chapel of Bangor to the U.S. Supreme Court asking it to issue an injunction pending appeal and/or to vacate the lower court decisions regarding Governor Janet Millsâ unconstitutional orders against churches.
Ken Graves is the founding and senior pastor of Calvary Chapel of Bangor. The church also has the Calvary Residential Discipleship program, a biblical-based ministry that helps men and women who are seeking a way of escape from drugs, alcohol, and other life-controlling issues. The year-long residential program operates two homes with 24 women and 24 men for a total of 48 full-time resident on the church property. C.R.D. is a Christ-centered alternative to secular programs within the drug and alcohol community and includes a work program, daily Bible studies, devotional readings and prayer. Regular attendance at church services is paramount to this program.