The Supreme Court ruled late Friday that California could not apply some of its restrictions on church services, which partially lifted the limits imposed during the coronavirus pandemic.
In a 6-3 verdict, the judges ruled that the state could not ban indoor worship, but that it could limit indoor worship to 25 percent. The court also did not prevent the state from enforcing a ban on indoor singing and chanting.
The court ruled in two cases instituted by churches against the state – one by the South Bay United Pentecostal Church and another by Harvest Rock Church – over restrictions in the state.
California is moving to indoor worship services and other indoor activities, such as food and movie screenings in areas designated “Tier 1” – which covers most of the state – due to the high coronavirus numbers.
Chief Justice John Roberts wrote that federal courts ‘owe significant respect to politically accountable officials regarding restrictions on public health’, but added that respect ‘has its limitations’.
Roberts also explained that the way in which the state decides that ‘the maximum number of worshipers who can worship safely in the largest cathedral is zero – does not seem to reflect expertise or discretion, but rather insufficient appreciation or consideration of the interests at stake. the game is over. ‘
Justice Amy Coney Barrett
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“Of course, if a choir can sing in a Hollywood studio, but not in her church, the terms of California cannot be considered neutral,” Barrett wrote. “But the record is uncertain, and the decisions below unfortunately shed little light on the matter.”
Judges Elena Kagan
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“I sincerely hope that the court’s intervention will not aggravate the country’s COVID crisis,” Kagan wrote. “But if this decision causes suffering, we will not pay.”
The verdict comes a few months after the Supreme Court 5-4 decided to ban New York from applying limits on how many people can attend services due to the coronavirus pandemic.