Supreme Court Sides With California Churches Over State Restrictions on House of Worship
The Rev. Arturo Corral sprinkles holy water following Mass marking the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe at the historic Our Lady Queen of Angels (La Placita) Church amid the COVID-19 pandemic on December 12, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. Masses were held outdoors beneath tents throughout the day with congregants from different families seated in socially distanced chairs and required to wear face coverings to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. The annual celebration honors the apparition of the Virgin Mary in Tepeyac, Mexico in December 1531 and has been marked by Mexican Catholics for centuries. Thousands of faithful normally join the celebrations at La Placita but this year only those with reservations were able to attend amid pandemic restrictions. The church, dedicated in 1822 when California was a part of Mexico, primarily serves members of the Latino community and is the oldest Catholic church in Los Angeles. Mario Tama/Getty Images

The Supreme Court has sided with churches over state COVID-19 restrictions in California, which blocked some of the restrictions that Gov. Gavin Newsom has imposed on houses of worship. California is considered to have some of the most draconian restrictions on churches.

Newsom's rules have treated churches worse than most other businesses in the state of California, according to a Breitbart News report.

Two churches filed lawsuits in federal court, saying that this unfavorable treatment violates the churches' rights under the Free Exercise Clause of the Constitution's First Amendment to conduct their worship services consistent with their faith.

The suit added that at a minimum this entitles them to be subject only to restrictions that other establishments must abide by.

The Supreme Court granted temporary relief in a 6-3 decision, partially reversing contrary rulings from lower courts. This will remain in place while the Ninth Circuit finishes its consideration of the appeal and will continue until the churches have an opportunity to petition for a full review.

The Center for American Liberty also served as a counsel in a last week's case.

Harmeet Dhillon, CEO of the group spearheading litigation, said that California's temples of commerce have opened while their temples of God have been forced to remain close.

"This was the first lawsuit filed for religious liberty during the COVID-19 pandemic and the Center for American Liberty fought tirelessly to liberate God-fearing Californians from second class citizen status and the constant fear of fines and arrest," Dhillon was quoted on The Federalist report.

California's restrictions

Under the state's tiered protocols, indoor church services are prohibited in regions of the state in the purple tier, where COVID-19 is identified to be widespread, according to a Sacramento Bee report. It was reported that much of the state is in the purple tier.

The court said in the unsigned opinion that the state could limit attendance to 25 percent capacity. In addition, the state also can prohibit singing and chanting during services as some health experts believe that it could more easily spread the coronavirus.

Jessica Levinson, a professor at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles, referred to the Supreme Court's ruling as a big decision.

"It's giving us the contours of what's acceptable for this Supreme Court in this clash between public health and religion," Levinson was quoted on a report.

Arthur Hodges, South Bay's bishop, said that they are thrilled and excited to go back to church without legal threats of fines or arrest. Hodges said that this decision opens up churches in the entire state of California.

Houses of worships to have service amid the pandemic

Sacramento's Capital Christian Center was not reopening Sunday due to short notice. But the church's chief operations officer, Jason Batt, said that they will be having services up to the 25 percent room capacity in the following weeks.

Capital Christian Center is one of the region's largest churches.

Meanwhile, Senior Pastor Les Simmons of South Sacramento Christian Center said that they will stay closed at least for now, saying that they are still online for the time being.

"We're still in a public health crisis," Simmons was quoted in a report.