California churches defy lockdown orders as others rethink what services can look like
After California Gov. Gavin Newsom shut down indoor religious services for the majority of the state, some churches chose to defy the order while others have reimagined what services can look like during the pandemic.
Last week, Newsom barred places of worship from holding indoor services in 29 counties, affecting 80% of Californians, The Los Angeles Times reported.
“This virus is not going away anytime soon,” Newsom said, according to the publication. “I hope all of us recognize that if we were still connected to some notion that, somehow, when it gets warm, it’s going to go away or, somehow, it’s going to take summer months or weekends off — this virus has done neither.”
In Fresno, Cornerstone Church Pastor Jim Franklin chose to conduct indoor services in defiance of Newsom’s order.
“It was a great service today, many people showed up. We had people that drove all the way here all the way from Visalia, because they say they are looking for a church that is open,” Franklin told KFSN.
Pastor Greg Fairrington of Destiny Christian Church in Rocklin also said he would be defying Newsom’s order, added The Sacramento Bee reported.
“I told you before, we are not shutting down the church. We will be having church on Sunday,” Fairrington said in a Facebook video. “I believe my mandate as a pastor is to obey the word of God.”
In Pasadena, Harvest Rock Church still held its Sunday service despite Newsom’s order, according to CBS Los Angeles.
Florida-based law firm Liberty Counsel filed a lawsuit on behalf of Harvest International Ministry and the church, alleging that their constitutional rights were violated by Newsom’s order, CBS Los Angeles reported.
“I want us to pray right now that we will win that court case,” Pastor Che Ahn said, according to the station. “No one is above the Constitution. No one is above the law.”
Alternative church services
Meanwhile, other churches have offered alternative services.
St. Robert Catholic Church in Sacramento held Mass outside, KXTV reported.
“It’s really a reliance on the grace of God that we continue to do what we’re supposed to do, what we’re called to do, and at the same time, do every human way to keep ourselves healthy and safe,” Father Brian Atienza told the station.
The Diocese of Stockton is also planning on holding services outside, Chandler Marquez, a spokesman told KXTV.
“We’re just following the directives. It wasn’t said that we couldn’t do outdoor services, and we’re going to do what we can,” Marquez told the station.
Cross City Christian Church in Fresno is adding another service after having such a big turnout at its outdoor services, KFSN reported. The church is also considering online services.
”I mean, they understand we are in challenging times, but there was a lot of enthusiasm to physically gather,” Associate Pastor Brent Deffenbacher told the station.
St. Mel Catholic Church in Los Angeles held Mass outside and is also offering online services, CBS Los Angeles reported.
“I was upset because I thought all the churches were closed,” parishioner Rochelle Brillo told the station. “I was really excited about going back to church. I really enjoyed it being under the sky and being able to see everything. I would actually do this again.”
More than 3.7 million coronavirus cases have been confirmed in the U.S. as of July 20, according to Johns Hopkins University. More than 7,700 people in California have died from the virus.
This story was originally published July 20, 2020 at 8:48 AM with the headline "California churches defy lockdown orders as others rethink what services can look like."