Colorado Churches Win Religious Rights Victory in Federal Court

Share:

Two Colorado churches and their pastors are currently protected from the state’s enforcement of capacity limits and face masks during worship services based on an order handed down by a federal judge Oct. 15. This decision follows a lawsuit against federal and state officials for an array of religious freedom violations. Thomas More Society Special Counsel Rebecca Messall and co-counsel Brad Bergford are representing the congregations and their pastors.

Messall reports a favorable ruling from the Honorable Daniel D. Domenico for partially granting the relief sought by these houses of worship and their leaders. He said, “The lawsuit calls both the federal government and Colorado leaders into account for their violations of the right to free exercise of religion, among other abuses of power, primarily resulting from Gov. Jared Polis’ COVID-19 related executive orders.”

Denver Bible Church and its pastor, Robert Enyart, and Community Baptist Church and its pastor, Joey Rhoads, asked the court to enjoin enforcement of orders related to Colorado’s gubernatorially-mandated capacity limits on worship services and face mask requirements.

Currently, Colorado imposes capacity limits on houses of worship more severe than those that apply to other “critical businesses” whose settings pose a similar risk of COVID-19 transmission. The state also allows a variety of exceptions to its facial-covering requirement where it recognizes that removing a mask is necessary to carry out a particular activity.

The order, issued by the Judge Domenico, states, “… the Constitution does not allow the state to tell a congregation how large it can be when comparable secular gatherings are not so limited, or to tell a congregation that its reason for wishing to remove facial coverings is less important than a restaurant’s or spa’s.”

Domenico also noted, “The First Amendment does not allow government officials, whether in the executive or judicial branch, to treat religious worship as any less critical or essential than other human endeavors. Nor does it allow the government to determine what is a necessary part of a house of worship’s religious exercise.”

The judge’s order prohibits Colorado officials from enforcing the state’s executive orders and public health orders against the churches and pastors, in particular matters of occupancy limitations and face mask requirements during worship services.

Read the full motion and the original complaint. {eoa}

Thomas More Society is a national not-for-profit law firm dedicated to restoring respect in law for life, family and religious liberty.

Share:

Leave a Reply


More Spiritual Content
February’s Final Days: A Divine Plan Unfolding?
Pastor’s Viral Rebuke of the American Church
Lakewood Church Shooting Investigation Enters New Phase
Hamas to Return Bodies of 4 hostages, Including Bibas Family
Christian Leader Talks Politics, Keeping Faith Amid Loss
Dreams of Dominion: A Prophetic Warning on Trump’s Russian Entanglements
Update: Pope Francis’ Health and the Shadow of Prophecy
Update: What Happens if All the Red Heifers Are Disqualified?
Could this Peace Plan be the Sign of the Antichrist?
Prophecy: Why the Church Must Pray for President Trump
previous arrow
next arrow
Shadow

Most Popular Posts

Latest Videos
104K Subscribers
1.1K Videos
11.1M Views

Share