SCOTUS Ruling Will Re-Ease Restrictions on Indoor Worship

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 6, 2021

STATEMENT BY BISHOP MICHAEL C. BARBER, SJ, DIOCESE OF OAKLAND, CA,
CONCERNING FEBRUARY 5, 2021 SCOTUS RULING RE-EASING RESTRICTIONS ON INDOOR WORSHIP

“I am grateful the US Supreme Court has struck down the California governor's executive order which shut our churches for indoor worship. I am glad churches and synagogues will fall under the same safety rules which govern retail shopping and gambling casinos, and we will no longer be singled out for arbitrary restriction by the government. I am grateful to the Harvest Rock Church and South Bay Church for fighting these cases to uphold our right to worship, guaranteed by the US Constitution. We look forward to welcoming our congregations back inside our churches, at 25% capacity, and following all COVID safety procedures. The High Court’s decision is a victory for religious liberty rights for all Americans.”

The Diocese of Oakland includes Alameda and Contra Costa counties in the Bay Area and includes approximately 375,000 Catholics in 82 parishes.

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