Vice President Mike Pence says he supports a Virginia church in its legal battle against the governor for restrictions against houses of worship.
Lighthouse Fellowship Church of Chincoteague sued the state in federal court after its pastor was issued a criminal citation for holding a 16-person church service on Palm Sunday inside a 225-seat sanctuary, Christian Headlines previously reported. Each attendee reportedly sat at least six feet apart and followed health guidelines.
Orders by Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam restrict mass gatherings to 10 people during the coronavirus pandemic.
Pence said he backs a Department of Justice Statement of Interest urging the court to issue an injunction favoring the church. He and the Department “strongly agree” that “even in the midst of a national emergency, every American enjoys our cherished liberties, including the freedom of religion.”
“And the very idea that the Commonwealth of Virginia would sanction a church for having 16 people come to a Psalm Sunday service when … the church actually seats about 250 was just beyond the pale,” Pence told The Brian Kilmeade Show. “And I’m truly grateful for Attorney General [William] Barr standing by religious liberty.”
The Trump administration, Pence said, will “stand by men and women of faith of every religion in this country and … even in this challenging time, [will] protect…
… Read More
Click here to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Christian Headlines.