California judge rules LA church can hold indoor services
Pastor John MacArthur said he is ‘very grateful’ saying he will comply with the health orders requested by the judge
A judge in California on Friday allowed a prominent pastor in Los Angeles to hold indoor in-person services despite Gov. Gavin Newsom‘s coronavirus restrictions, including banning singing in houses of worship.
Pastor John MacArthur of Grace Community Church expressed his gratitude to Superior Court Judge James C. Chalfant whose order requires congregants wear masks and practice social distancing.
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“I am very grateful the court has allowed us to meet inside and we are happy for a few weeks to comply and respect what the judge has asked of us because he is allowing is to meet,” MacAruther said in a statement. “This vindicates our desire to stay open and serve our people. This also gives us an opportunity to show that we are not trying to be rebellious or unreasonable, but that we will stand firm to protect our church against unreasonable, unconstitutional restrictions.”
Los Angeles County had sought a court order barring Grace Community Church from holding in-person services, arguing that they were an immediate health threat.
In addition to MacArthur, a network of churches, led by Pastor Che Ahn of Harvest Rock Church, filed a lawsuit in July challenging the Democrat governor’s orders.
California worship leader Sean Feucht has been holding “Let Us Worship” events across the state and nation, taking the church outside the building.
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“It is a double standard,” the founder of “Hold the Line” told “Fox & Friends” co-host Pete Hegseth about California leadership, “and I would say at best it’s hypocrisy and at worst, it’s bigotry. You know there’s a target on churches.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.