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‘Let Us Worship’ pastor calls for Christian revival amid COVID-19 lockdowns
‘Do we fear God or do we fear man? Are we willing to take a stand to break the rules to honor God?’
Judge hands huge victory to Catholic priest fighting California gov’s restrictions on churches
‘The Supreme Court’s decision in Brooklyn Diocese v. Cuomo has opened the way to the liberation of churches from the absurd and bigoted superstition that they are veritable death chambers threatening the entire population.’
Christians fight back against restrictions, plan to fill churches for Christmas
‘As Catholics and Americans, we have the canonical and constitutional right to freely worship,’ the campaign states.
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- BC faithful fight back against excessive govt fines and restrictions on worship
British Columbia is facing a legal challenge from communities and individuals over prohibitions of peaceful protests and church gatherings.
- Greek Orthodox Church defies govt lockdown measures, offers divine worship
The Greek Church’s Holy Synod vowed to open their churches for Epiphany on January 6 in defiance of the government.
- California priest scores major victory against Gov. Newsom, can keep church open
A California judge relied on recent Supreme Court cases that invoke the First Amendment guarantee of religious liberty, ‘even during a pandemic.’
- Belgian Catholics secure right to worship, barely, against bishops’ resistance
The story of how Belgian Catholics regained the possibility to assist at Mass under the country’s new partial deconfinement rules is a strange one.
- Explosive interview with lawyer leading religious freedom wins
Chris Ferrara is currently representing several groups of priests and rabbis in lawsuits targeting the draconian COVID-19 restrictions put in place by the governors.
- Nevada can’t restrict churches more than casinos for COVID, Ninth Circuit rules
‘Just like the New York restrictions, the directive treats numerous secular activities and entities significantly better than religious worship service’
- Supreme Court tosses rulings against churches in Colorado, New Jersey
Both cases contested attendance limits placed on religious institutions that were not equally applied to secular ones, with the latter case also arguing that New Jersey’s mask mandate was applied more strictly to religious gatherings than secular establishments.
- DC archdiocese sues mayor over ‘unfair’ COVID restrictions on worship
The archdiocese is taking its cue from the Supreme Court’s decision against New York’s governor.
- ‘Let Us Worship’ pastor calls for Christian revival amid COVID-19 lockdowns
‘Do we fear God or do we fear man? Are we willing to take a stand to break the rules to honor God?’
- Judge hands huge victory to Catholic priest fighting California gov’s restrictions on churches
‘The Supreme Court’s decision in Brooklyn Diocese v. Cuomo has opened the way to the liberation of churches from the absurd and bigoted superstition that they are veritable death chambers threatening the entire population.’
- Cardinal sues Democrat DC mayor over “discriminatory” COVID-19 restrictions
‘Under both the First Amendment and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, the District’s arbitrary, unscientific, and discriminatory treatment of religious worship is illegal,’ the lawsuit stated.
- German counties reverse communion ban after bishop protests the decision
‘This is a clear encroachment on the right to exercise one’s religion freely,’ the local bishop had said.
- Christians fight back against restrictions, plan to fill churches for Christmas
‘As Catholics and Americans, we have the canonical and constitutional right to freely worship,’ the campaign states.
- After lawsuit threat, Canadian province relents, will not suppress church services from car
The premier of Manitoba, Brian Pallister, recently told reporters he is ‘stealing Christmas’ to keep residents under COVID restrictions.
- If churches close again, Catholics need to be ready
Bishops need to be ready, too, but some are already throwing in the towel.
- DOJ sues New York village for religious discrimination against Orthodox Jews
‘This unlawful anti-Semitic conduct is wholly unacceptable in the United States of America, and the U.S. Department of Justice will not tolerate it,’ the DOJ commented.
- Syrian Catholics reject church closures and continue attending daily Mass: Maronite Archbishop
‘Faced with Covid-19 the faithful have protested against the locking of the churches and have continued coming to daily Mass,’ Archbishop Samir Nassar wrote in a letter entitled ‘Overcoming Fear’
- Supreme Court sides with churches, tosses rulings backing California’s ban on worship
The Supreme Court ‘vacated’ the lower court order against the California Christian churches were California Governor Gavin Newsom’s worship ban was upheld, stripping it of its effects.
- ‘We want God!’: Hundreds of Oregon Catholics protest church restrictions
‘We never thought that when we escaped from Vietnam that we would be persecuted here in the United States,’ said Father Ansgar Pham. The protestors echoed what Catholic Poles chanted when Pope John Paul II visited them during communist rule: ‘We want God!’
- Canadian church moves worship to highway after police stop parking lot service
‘Being alone at home and watching a virtual service does not replace worship,’ Pastor Tobias Tissen explained.
- French high court orders govt to change rule capping attendance at public worship to 30 people
The ruling judge declared that the limit at public worship constituted a ‘grave and manifestly illegal breach’
- French bishops mobilize against 30-person rule at Mass
‘If certain persons … are fined at the end of the Mass, they should refuse to pay the fine on the spot,’ one bishop said, explaining his lawyer would take care of it.
- VICTORY: Supreme Court blocks NY Gov. Cuomo’s restrictions on religious services
In a ruling late last night, the Supreme Court blocked Cuomo’s restrictions on places of worship, stating that ‘the regulations cannot be viewed as neutral because they single out houses of worship for especially harsh treatment.’
- French traditionalists show us how to take back our churches when closed by bishops
What I wish to emphasize is the need for Catholics, both laity and clergy, to move into a more decisive phase of resistance against unjust determinations of either temporal or ecclesiastical authority.
- French Catholics rally with increased numbers demanding return of public Masses
Over 70 rallies were held this past weekend, including many prayerful demonstrations in towns and cities all over the country.
- Archbishop rejects state governor’s COVID request, will continue Masses
Gov. Andy Beshear has had his COVID restrictions on religion rebuffed by a judge once already.
- SCOTUS justice Alito warns against ‘pandemic’ restrictions on religious freedom
While Justice Alito’s speech is drawing sharp criticism, he merely spoke the truth.
- Popular US priest urges bishops amid increasing COVID restrictions: ‘Fight for us!’
Msgr. Charles Pope mentioned nine things bishops should do to show the faithful that public worship is essential.
- Irish Catholics demand the sacraments after government bans Mass
Fr. Sean Mulligan of the Clogher Diocese protested the law in a powerful sermon, available to view online, in which he decried the new law as ‘a new type of tyranny and persecution’ and stated that ‘it’s our own government who are orchestrating this attack on our faith and our right to practice it in public.’
- Why priests and laypeople must work around bishops forbidding sacraments for COVID
I was and continue to be sympathetic with every effort by clergy and laity to circumvent and ignore episcopal diktats that severely limit the sacramental life of the Church.
- Judge rules Colorado discriminated against Christian churches with mask mandate
Congregants will now be allowed to remove their face masks as required for religious practice, such as singing
- Archbishop Viganò responds to reports Pope will skip Midnight Mass on Christmas
This latest news has left the faithful bewildered, scandalized and abandoned by a hierarchy that found a way to gather in the Basilica of Santa Maria in Ara Cœli for a syncretistic rite presided by Jorge Mario Bergoglio, but which does not hesitate to suspend the celebration of Holy Mass on the Night in which the Church celebrates the Birth of the Savior.
- UK priest: ‘I will be arrested’ before denying sacraments to the faithful again
Parts of the United Kingdom are undergoing another lockdown with canceled religious services.
- Judge protects Colorado churches from governor’s COVID capacity, face mask directives
The decision came following a lawsuit against federal and state officials for an array of religious freedom violations.
- Communion on the tongue safer than communion in the hand: Polish doctors
In an open letter, a number of Polish doctors warned the bishops and the faithful that receiving Holy Communion in the hand is more dangerous than the traditional practice.
- Trump admin intervenes on behalf of patients denied Sacraments at hospitals during COVID
Priests have been widely barred from gaining entrance to hospitals in order to administer the Sacraments, particularly those of the Last Rites, and women have been forced to give birth alone.
- Priest sues California Gov Newsom over ‘tyrannical COVID-19 control measures’
In a 77 page document filed on September 29, Fr. Trevor Burfitt, a priest of the Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX), issued a withering attack upon Newsom, saying that his restrictions on religious worship in violation of the constitution, are “no longer warranted” and are “causing more harm than good.”
- Thousands walk in procession to protest San Francisco mayor’s limits on worship
Archdiocesan authorities and the police put attendance at Eucharistic procession somewhere between 1500 and 3000 souls.
- ‘Are you of God or of the world?’: Priest blasts Scottish bishops for following govt orders to close churches
Fr. Stephen Dunn was candid in his assessment: ‘This intimidation is happening before your very eyes and you happily go along with it. Is this good shepherding?’
- San Francisco finally eases restrictions on access to worship services
Until today, only one person was allowed to attend an indoor religious gathering.
- US bishop: Are COVID lockdowns morally obligatory? ‘I would say no’
Bishop Paprocki explained that preventing people from going to church is ‘unduly burdensome.’
- Bishops must stop following unjust COVID orders to restrict Masses
Give Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone full credit for speaking truth to power. Now, if he wants to celebrate Mass for the public in his cathedral, he can do it.
- Churches hold the line in court against tyrannical COVID restrictions on worship
It should be inconceivable that government officials would threaten churches for holding worship services.
- San Francisco archbishop to hold massive eucharistic procession to protest mayor’s crackdown on worship
San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone blasted city’s new COVID-19 norms as ‘punitive’ to believers
- Over 12,000 Californians pray, protest lockdowns at capitol worship service
The ‘Let Us Worship’ rally defied the governor’s restrictions on religious gatherings.
- Pastor vows to pay fines for Christians who defy lockdown to worship in person
Pastor Ché Ahn assured churchgoers that ‘if you do show up and you get a ticket, Harvest Rock Church is going to underwrite that ticket.’
- California churches fined thousands for singing, gathering in person
Local government agents have been coming to worship services to spy.
- Los Angeles officials back in court for fourth time trying to forbid indoor worship services
This is the county’s fourth attempt to get a court order to shut down indoor worship services at Grace Community Church.
- Archbishop celebrates Mass with 60 while still obeying 12-person COVID limit
San Francisco archbishop Salvatore Cordileone found a creative way to allow dozens of faithful to simultaneously attend Mass on the Aug. 15 Feast of the Assumption.
- Judge sides with, ‘vindicates’ California church that refused to close
‘This result is indeed a great victory for all citizens’ constitutional right to freedom of religion.’
- California county becomes ‘sanctuary’ for faithful to worship together during COVID-19
‘I strongly feel that it would be against the interest of justice for us to punish criminally citizens choosing to worship God or whatever religion they have,’ a district attorney said.
- LA mayor will pull the plug on water, electricity to churches that defy lockdowns
Police have been told to provide notice that power will be shut off at properties where large gatherings frequently occur.
- WATCH: California church defies gov Newsom’s order to remain closed, backs ‘recall’ effort
‘Satan doesn’t want people to know Christ,’ Gina Gleason, Calvary Chapel’s public policy director told LifeSite
- California churches refuse to shut down in face of local leaders threatening to cut power
Public worship will continue, the pastors said, because ‘God has not granted civic rules authority over the doctrine, practice, or polity of the church.’
- Vatican’s former doctrine head: ‘Global players’ are using pandemic to ‘suppress’ Catholic Church
The former prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith joined with exiled archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò to denounce world governments’ treatment of the coronavirus pandemic.
- California reopening plan discriminates against churches, Justice Dept declares
Gov. Gavin Newsom was informed that failure to accommodate religious worship could be a violation of the Constitution.
- California backs down, allows drive-in church services following lawsuit
The U.S. Department of Justice is defending churches while confirming that the law prohibits religious discrimination.
- Society of St. Pius X cancels ‘most public Masses’ in U.S., promises to make priests available as needed
The group of traditional Catholic priests previously found creative solutions in the midst of coronavirus lockdowns, such as outdoor and parking lot Masses.
- US parish finds a way to give faithful Holy Communion during coronavirus shut down
Thanks to the courage of our pastor, every parishioner in our community is able to receive the Eucharist after every Mass.
- Priests find ingenious way to say public Mass during Italian coronavirus lockdown
The two priests said the idea came to them by chance.
- Cdl. Burke issues new statement about combatting the coronavirus
His Excellency said that ‘our most effective weapon is…our relationship with Christ through prayer and penance, and devotions and sacred worship.’
- Viganò: I ‘disagree’ with shutting down Masses due to coronavirus
The church in Italy responded to the coronavirus by shutting down all public Masses.
- Polish bishops call for more Masses in response to coronavirus: ‘Unimaginable’ to close churches
‘Just as hospitals treat diseases of the body, so the Church serves to, among other things, treat illness of the soul; that is why it is unimaginable that we not pray in our churches,’ said Archbishop Stanisław Gądecki, leader of the Polish bishops’ conference.
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Priest calls police on mother of 11 praying in empty church without a mask
Neither the priest nor the diocese have explained the arrest despite a stated mask exemption for those seated in their pew.
UK and Ireland Christians take worship ‘underground’ in wake of govt lockdowns
‘The fact that we have to sneak around to worship God, in fear of criminal prosecution, is alarming. But we do what we have to do,’ a pastor said.
Have church lockdowns uncrowned Christ the King?
One consequence of Christ’s Social Kingship is that, ‘the Church, founded by Christ as a perfect society, has a natural and inalienable right to perfect freedom and immunity from the power of the state’ (Pius XI, Quas Primas, 31). But the silence around this teaching has been deafening.
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- China blames COVID cases on Catholics, begins new crackdown on religious activities
A faithful priest challenged the accusations, saying relatively few Catholics live in the area of the apparent outbreak.
- I wish more Catholics in Scotland loved Mass more than they fear (a tiny risk of) death
There are Catholic Scots who are so frightened of the virus that they would rather nobody at all went to Mass, even though there is no evidence that anyone in Scotland has been infected at public Masses since they resumed in mid-July.
- Scotland bans public worship for second time during COVID-19 crisis
A spokesman for the Archdiocese of St. Andrews and Edinburgh said the ban came as a surprise to him.
- Canadian provincial govt fines 3 churches $18K for defying COVID rules
Police handed out eight separate $2,300 fines on December 17 to the three groups.
- Cdl. Sarah’s signature absent from Vatican letter backing ban of Communion on tongue during COVID
The Congregation for Divine Worship seems to have confirmed Bishop Richard Stika’s decision to suspend communion on the tongue – but the Congregation’s head, or prefect, did not lend his signature to the controversial document.
- Ontario bishop warns priests of ‘prosecution’ if they don’t enforce his rigid mask, communion-in-hand rules
Bishop Ronald Fabbro of the Diocese of London admitted his new COVID protocols ‘go beyond the requirements in most health unit orders and local by-laws.’
- Belgium shuts down worship for COVID over Christmas with bishops’ support
The Belgian bishops ‘express[ed] their solidarity’ with the government while mentioning a wish to ‘resume dialogue.’
- Toronto Cardinal threatens to ‘shut down’ priests who give Communion on the tongue
‘If we have a place, one of our parishes, if we have one parish where they’re loosey-goosey with the protocol…I will shut you down!’
- Govt limits numbers inside Toronto churches, Cardinal cancels Mass altogether
There is no evidence that Catholic worship has spread the virus in the Archdiocese of Toronto
- Jesuit parish creates new lay ‘ministry’ to squirt hand sanitizer before Communion
At St. Raphael the Archangel parish, the pastor, joined by hand-sanitizing ‘ministers,’ dons a face mask and a face shield to deliver Communion into parishioners’ hands.
- ‘Irrelevant’: NY Gov Cuomo downplays Supreme Courts’ pro-religious-liberty decision
While President Trump welcomed the decision, Cuomo termed it ‘irrelevant’
- French govt enrages Catholic faithful with new 30-person limit on Masses
One French bishop exhorted the faithful to ‘invade our churches, continue demanding Mass and we bishops and priests will come to celebrate.’
- Priest calls police on mother of 11 praying in empty church without a mask
Neither the priest nor the diocese have explained the arrest despite a stated mask exemption for those seated in their pew.
- English churches banned Masses, but ‘support groups,’ blood donations are allowed
The rights of both God and man are being trampled upon in English law, which is holding the Church ‘captive.’
- Irish police enforce ban on Mass, threaten priests with jail
COVID-19 rules in Ireland prohibit gatherings for ‘religious or other reasons.’
- Vancouver bishop encourages Catholic compliance with extreme new COVID lockdown
Abp. Michael J. Miller complained that the order is ‘very disappointing’ but insisted that the faithful ‘do their part in a spirit of sacrificial love for our neighbors.’
- UK and Ireland Christians take worship ‘underground’ in wake of govt lockdowns
‘The fact that we have to sneak around to worship God, in fear of criminal prosecution, is alarming. But we do what we have to do,’ a pastor said.
- ‘Screwed things up for us’: Archbishop demands faithful give up Communion on tongue for COVID
Abp. Michel Aupetit of Paris incurred a backlash for his comments, which included saying those who demand Communion on the tongue ‘ don’t know history’ and that ‘their personal little business’ is keeping Masses forbidden in France.
- Bishop backs priest in barring Catholic dad from Mass unless he wears mask
‘And then he bluntly told me after, ‘You don’t come to Church if you don’t wear a mask.”
- California court respects strip clubs’ rights while discriminating against churches
In California, churches are closed for indoor services while strip clubs remain open indoors.
- Have church lockdowns uncrowned Christ the King?
One consequence of Christ’s Social Kingship is that, ‘the Church, founded by Christ as a perfect society, has a natural and inalienable right to perfect freedom and immunity from the power of the state’ (Pius XI, Quas Primas, 31). But the silence around this teaching has been deafening.
- Jacob Rees-Mogg has betrayed the Church and his fellow Catholics by voting to suppress the Mass
With friends like these, who needs enemies?
- EXCLUSIVE: Archbishop bans indoor Masses, leaves cathedral gift shop open for business
Catholics are protesting, with one laywoman invoking Scripture: ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves.’
- UK bishop forbids priest from saying private Mass while church open during new lockdown
Father David Palmer, a priest of the Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham, had previously announced online that he would be arrested rather than deny the sacraments to people again. But on Wednesday, the day before the lockdown, he tweeted to say that his bishop had forbidden him from saying his private Mass while the church was open.
- Cardinal Nichols tells Catholics to obey UK govt.’s new order to lock down churches
The cardinal said that he believed that the laws ‘are not an attack on religious belief.’
- French Catholics take to streets as second lockdown bans public Masses again
Public Masses have been banned since November 3. Catholics have decided that they will not take this next wave lying down.
- Canadian Catholic church nixes Latin Mass, cites COVID non-compliance
‘Due [to] the lack of adherence to Diocesan safety protocols, the 3 pm Latin Mass has been suspended until further notice.’
- El Paso Catholic bishop who joined BLM rally cancels all public Masses…again
Funerals, weddings, baptisms, and similar liturgies are all also ‘postponed.’
- New Irish law banning gatherings threatens prison for priests who say Mass
Ireland’s health minister claims that the law doesn’t apply to religious services, but nothing in the law as written exempts them.
- Federal judge refuses to block COVID-19 restrictions on Diocese of Brooklyn
At the same time, the judge praised the diocese for ‘enforcing stricter safety protocols than the State required.’
- Sec. general of Synod of Bishops: Following COVID, ‘we have discovered…a new theology’
Bishop Mario Grech appeared to relativize the singular importance of Holy Mass, as well as the priesthood.
- NY Gov Cuomo blames ‘religious groups’ for uptick of COVID cases, singles out ‘ultra- orthodox’ community
Cuomo’s latest embargoes on religious communities are being strongly challenged by both Orthodox Jews and Roman Catholics.
- Cuomo threatens to ‘close the synagogues,’ churches if COVID-19 measures not followed
‘We know religious institutions have been a problem,’ the New York governor said.
- No religious services for half a year and counting: Church sues DC mayor
Congregations are not even allowed to meet outside if more than 100 people are present. Protests, however, are allowed.
- UK High Court judge: Ban on religious services during lockdown may have been illegal
Mr. Justice Lewis allowed for a potential future challenge with regard to restrictions on churches.
- Is coronavirus the ‘revenge of nature,’ as Pope Francis says?
Pope Francis wants ‘sacred respect for the earth,’ which is ‘not just our home but also God’s home.’ Do these statements stand up to scrutiny?
- Britain’s top cardinal tells UK Catholics it would be ‘scandal’ to reopen churches
‘[T]he churches are closed because of the restrictions established by the Government,’ Cardinal Vincent Nichols explained, without recalling that the bishops convinced the government to close the churches.
- As governments eye reopening, churches banned from singing, Communion: Live COVID-19 updates
Live updates on the coronavirus crisis and how it relates to pro-life issues, faith, and freedom.
- Armed police storm Catholic parish in France, demand priest stop Mass
The police stormed into the church after having been ‘warned’ by people living close by that a ‘clandestine’ Mass was taking place
- UK Catholic bishops suggest priests shouldn’t attend to dying faithful due to coronavirus
Priests should offer ‘telephone support’ rather than be with patients in person to administer the Last Rites, according to the guidance.
- Authorities crack down on priests for saying public Masses, defying COVID-19 orders
Priests and nuns are being charged and, in some cases, booked by police for religious gatherings.
- Police show up after Mass, warn Canadian priest of fines for allegedly breaking COVID-19 orders
The Toronto church followed the government’s directives, but cops arrived ‘to educate the parish.’
- Church is ‘auto-persecuting’ its own members in coronavirus pandemic
Churchmen, by closing the churches and suspending Masses, seem to be bringing to its ultimate coherence a process of auto-demolition begun in the 1960s.
- Why canceling Masses, locking churches is a recipe for failure in dealing with coronavirus
‘Wherever it has been tried, a society without God fails.’
- Public Mass suspended, churches closed in countries around the globe due to coronavirus
Liquor stores are considered ‘essential,’ but worship is not in most countries during the pandemic.
- Numerous Canadian bishops cancel all Masses as coronavirus fears mount
Among the dioceses suspending all public Masses were Kingston, Hamilton, Alberta, Northwest Territories, Edmonton, Toronto, and Ottawa.
- Coronavirus mayhem: Churches closed, travel restricted, schools shuttered, sports suspended
Governments’ and local churches’ response to the outbreak are being felt worldwide.
- Diocese of Rome shuts down all churches amid coronavirus fears
Until April 3, the faithful will not be able to enter churches in Rome.
- Austrian Catholics dispensed from Sunday Mass obligation due to coronavirus
Catholic bishops in Austria are obeying a government decree prohibiting events indoors with more than 100 people.
- Bishops cancel all public Masses in Italy until April 3, citing coronavirus
The suspension of public events was done out of a ‘desire to do one’s part,’ contributing ‘to the protection of public health,’ the Italian bishops said.
- French dioceses ban Holy Communion on tongue as coronavirus spreads
Some parishes have resisted the move, with one priest denouncing the ‘epidemic of fear.’
