President Trump on Friday declared that places of worship ordered closed because of the coronavirus should open immediately, but his threat to override state rules was met with a shrug from Gov. Gavin Newsom, and even many religious leaders seemed in no rush to open their doors.
Offering no timeline, Newsom said in a press conference after Trump’s remarks that the state will release guidelines by Monday to resume in-person religious services. The California governor is facing pressure closer to home: Hundreds of pastors, many of whom lead evangelical or “mega-churches,” have threatened to hold services in violation of state orders on May 31, the Christian holiday of Pentecost.
But many other religious leaders, including representatives of the Episcopalian and Catholic denominations and the Jewish and Muslim faiths, expressed support of Newsom’s cautious approach Friday, insisting on protecting their congregations from a deadly disease.
Trump took a decidedly different stance in his morning remarks, saying he would “override the governors” across the country who resist reopening, although his legal authority to do that is unclear. “America, we need more prayer, not less.”
Trump said he is classifying places of worship as “essential services” that can operate even when other establishments are closed, beginning as soon as this weekend.
“Some governors have deemed liquor stores and abortion clinics as essential but have left out churches and other houses of worship,” Trump said during a brief appearance in the White House press room as the administration released new pandemic guidance for places of worship. “It’s not right.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released new guidance for houses of worship later Friday afternoon. Weeks ago, the CDC had prepared a draft of the reopening guidelines that included measures such as maintaining distance between parishioners, limiting the size of gatherings, and holding services outdoors or in large, well-ventilated areas. But that guidance had been delayed for more than a month by the administration until Trump — who has enjoyed strong political support from evangelical churches — abruptly reversed course and ordered the agency Thursday to get the guidelines out.
For his part, Newsom sought to stick to an approach to reopening he has insisted is based on science and data. He said he has been talking with faith leaders statewide over the past week ranging from megachurches to neighborhood houses of worship.
“It’s so important that folks understand we deeply understand, admire, the faith devotion,” Newsom said, adding later, “We look forward to churches reopening in a safe and responsible manner.”
The clash transpired as California saw its number of COVID-19 cases surpass the 90,000 mark, and its death count top 3,600. Newsom said Friday that 88 deaths were recorded the previous day. More hopeful trends continued as well, with virus-related hospitalizations decreasing 7.1% and ICU stays down 6.5% during that same time frame.
]Large gatherings including church services are not included in California’s guidance for the first two phases of reopening, an approach that has drawn criticism for weeks from some faith leaders and their congregants.
But in California and across the country, reactions Friday to an accelerated re-opening of religious services were mixed.
“The discrimination that has been occurring against churches and houses of worship has been shocking,” Kelly Shackelford, president of the conservative First Liberty Institute, said in a statement. “Americans are going to malls and restaurants. They need to be able to go to their houses of worship.”
At Calvary Chapel San Jose, administrative Pastor Carson Atherley was succinct in his reaction.
“I’ll refer you to the First Amendment of the Constitution, and the statement our president made this morning,” Atherley said. “That’s all we’re prepared to say at this time.”
The Episcopal Diocese of California, which serves 24,000 people over about 75 congregations spread across the Bay Area, says it remains content to follow the lead of local leaders and health officials.
“People have really missed the in-person worship,” said spokesperson Stephanie Martin Taylor. “There’s been a great deal of sadness and a sense of loss. However, some hopeful things have come out of it.”
Martin Taylor said the diocese’s worshipers have adapted to virtual services and that live-streaming will likely continue in some form even after people are allowed back in churches again.
At Congregation Beth Am in Los Altos Hills, Rabbi Jonathan Prosnit said his synagogue has migrated entirely to Zoom, from weekly worship to bar and bat mitzvah celebrations.
“Judaism teaches to save one life is to save the whole world,” Prosnit said. “So we wouldn’t want to do anything to jeopardize someone’s health, even if that means not gathering for a longer period of time.”
In a statement, the Diocese of San Jose said it has created a task force to plan for the return of public Masses and in-person ministry. The aim is to create “a framework for all our parishes that takes into account safety for all, especially those in high-risk categories, the sacredness of our worship, and the evolving county and state public health orders.”
Dr. Hatem Bazian, chair of the Northern California Islamic Council, said in a statement Friday that “following sound medical knowledge does not violate religious freedom.”
“Mosques and religious institutions are essential,” Bazian said, “but protecting and preserving the lives and promoting the well-being of everyone in the society takes precedent above politically motivated calls to open the doors to worshippers.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
