CNA Staff, May 15, 2020 / 02:01 pm (CNA).- Specific guidelines for reopening churches during the coronavirus pandemic were excluded from a set of documents released by the CDC this week, possibly due to religious freedom concerns, according to a report by the Associated Press.
Six one-page documents released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Thursday cover guidelines for helping employers, schools, bars and restaurants, daycares, camps, and mass transportation systems make decisions about reopening.
Churches were not included in the May 14 guidance. However, the AP reported that a similar document for churches was created, but not released. It reportedly included recommendations of limiting the number of people present at gatherings and spacing them out during services. Citing anonymous sources from the Trump administration and the CDC, the AP said the guidance regarding worship services was removed following White House concerns over government giving instructions to faith groups.
Some states have seen lawsuits from churches arguing that religious congregations have been singled out for stricter regulations than other entities, amounting to an unfair targeting of religion.
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/federal-judge-blocks-kentucky-governors-soon-to-expire-ban-on-religious-services-84587
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/california-church-sues-over-governors-reopening-plan-27670
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/virginia-church-sues-governor-over-stay-at-home-order-78264
Religious freedom advocates have stressed that while the government can limit religious gatherings for public health reasons during a pandemic, it must treat religion the same as similar non-religious activities.
“The state has significant regulatory authority even as it touches religious activity, and this is especially true in a time of emergency like a pandemic,” said former federal judge and current Stanford Law School professor Michael McConnell at a recent online event.
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/former-judge-coronavirus-restrictions-have-a-place-but-religion-is-essential-36424
However, he said, these rules must be neutral and generally applicable. They cannot single out religious activities while exempting other types of comparable social activities that are not religious.
Follows reports last week that the White House shelved a lengthier CDC report on gradually reopening sections of the American economy and society.
So far, the United States has seen more than 1.4 million confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus, with more than 86,000 deaths, according to the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center. Most people who contract the highly contagious virus show mild or no symptoms, but in some cases, it can result in severe complications or death, particularly for those who are elderly or have underlying health conditions.
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That means Bishops must take the initiative. Dr Susan Potts The Remnant describes in a few words [smart phones blaring during breakfast alarms warning of imminent threat to life by MI governor] better than most media the reality of this ordeal and what we’re dealing with. For the governor of MI and many others it’s a very dangerous, Constitutionally digressive, a manipulative quest for power. At first I thought Abp. Viganò was overwrought dealing with this papacy and had exaggerated. That followed by Cardinal Sarah’s apparent withdrawal from the letter. Now it’s become increasingly otherwise especially with the experience described by the author. Certainly the Dem Party is using the shutdown to bring down the Republication Administration in November. What would the Church, America be with an incompetent Biden elected and Nancy Pelosi actually at the helm? Trump’s proactive initiative is correct. Our Captains the Bishops must weigh anchor take the helm.