Twenty-five California state legislators have joined hundreds of pastors who are calling on Governor Gavin Newsom to let churches hold in-person services. These Republican Senators and Assembly members sent the governor a letter last week asking him to allow houses of worship to reopen as part of California’s Stage 2, which has already started, and not months away as part of Stage 3.
The letter accused Newsom of favoring schools over churches, by slating the opening of religious services in Stage 3, while placing schools, “which are gathering places for large numbers of individuals,” in Stage 2. “If schools can open while still exercising appropriate physical distancing and other precautions, it seems houses of worship, many of which have fewer people on-site for a typical service than local public schools have on normal weekdays, should be able to assemble while taking steps necessary to keep their congregations safe,” the letter argues.
“The stay-at-home order has been very difficult for individuals dealing with isolation, anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and domestic violence,” said Senate Minority Leader Shannon Grove, (R) Bakersfield. “It is more important than ever that houses of worship be open for millions of Californians to seek hope, encouragement, support, and healing. Houses of worship should be considered a higher priority for the Governor and be included into Stage 2 of our state’s reopening plan.”
Grove is encouraging the public to sign on to her personal letter to Governor Newsom, which praises the Trump administration for prioritizing houses of worship in its re-opening plan. “In the federal administration’s plan to Open up America Again, houses of worship are included in the primary phase with restrictions,” her letter stated….
The above comes from a May 12 release from the California Family Council.
So this what it has come to – groveling to a little tyrannical politician for our right to worship! And hey, it would be nice if the bishops were vocal and activist about serving their flocks instead of hiding out in their private condos. Times like these separate the man from the boys, enough said.
Open Up California!
And what have we heard from our bishops?
Does God require we risk our health and that of others for communal liturgy?
Of course not mike m, so if you’re scared or sick, stay home, your choice. Right now in CA, you have no choice and that’s a problem.
Kristen, that is wise advice, masks and distancing when needed but without taking jobs and worship away.
I would like to clarify something about which we were concerned a time ago when we saw a woman wearing a hamsa in front of Archbishop Cordileone. I have learned that the hamsa can be used, mostly by middle eastern Christians, Jews or Muslims in a right or wrong way. Some use it merely as a symbol for the hand of God or to remind them of the Biblical Rachael, the Virgin Mary or Fatima whereas others use it superstitiously. Not something for me but alright for some.
Correction to last post: hand of Old Testament Miriam, Moses’ sister not Rachael.
The emperor Charles did ban it in Christendom after the Muslims left, though. Probably because of its Islamic or superstitious use. Nevertheless, there are only so many symbols in the world that any of them can be misused, including the cross. Rosicrucians use a rosy cross as their symbol but a cross with a rose is also used for St. Theresa of France, though they stand for totally different things. I much prefer the praying hands symbol of my western culture, looks more like a hand.
It seems the bishops and the rest of us California Catholics should respectfully demand of our “Catholic” governor and other political leaders that we be treated at least equally to schools and restaurants, with comparable public health risks. Even more, religious services and religious workers should be deemed “essential,” as they are in federal guidelines. We’ve written the governor, our State Assembly and State Senate representatives and our representative on the County Board of Supervisors and encourage you to do that. We shouldn’t leave this to only the evangelicals and Republicans (though, thank God, they are acting on behalf of liberty for all of us).
Where are the bishops, who never shy at bending the ear of politicians for “social justice” projects? They should be fighting for the Church, for their spiritual sons and daughters, who are being starved of the Sacraments.
How embarrassing! Protestant pastors lead the fight to open our churches and the bishops sit home, silent. Does ANYONE still give to the Annual Bishops Appeal??
Im in agreement with the Bishops speaking out and opening the churches. They are in other Dioceses. In California if Bishops do not speak up and open the churches it may be months. They have a safe protocol already in place. If you are afraid of getting sick then stay home.
Answer to Peggy, “not one penny,”
I am in agreement to have churches open for worship, and for those who are compromised and do not wish to attend they are still able to participate online via video. I never understood why I can go to the Home Depot but I cannot go into my church. Something isn’t right with how these decisions are made. Hopefully our church leaders will lead.