John MacArthur’s California church won another legal round Thursday and with it, potentially the right to gather Sunday without government interference.
At issue was a request by Los Angeles County to hold Grace Community Church and MacArthur in contempt of court and to order it to pay thousands of dollars in fines for meeting indoors Sunday, one day after the church lost at the California appeals court. State and city restrictions prohibit such gatherings inside, although outdoor services are allowed.
On Thursday, Superior Court Judge Mitchell L. Beckloff ruled that the church and pastor cannot be held in contempt of court because there is no court order prohibiting the congregation from gathering.
It isn’t clear if Los Angeles County will file an appeal with an appellate court, which it did last Saturday when a lower court judge initially sided with the church. Last weekend, the church entered the weekend believing it would be allowed to gather following the judge’s order, only to lose at the appeals court at the last hour.
Jenna Ellis, special counsel for Thomas More Society, said she “was pleased” with Beckloff’s ruling. The society is representing the church. The judge “correctly found there is no court order prohibiting Grace Community Church from holding indoor services,” she said.
“LA County continues to harass and target Pastor MacArthur. Having…
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