(ChurchLeaders) Though most churches have temporarily moved online to help reduce virus transmission, the few that have defied government orders are making headlines and raising the ire of officials. Now New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio is under fire for what religious-liberty advocates call an overreach of authority.
During a March 27 briefing, de Blasio addressed stay-at-home orders in the pandemic’s U.S. epicenter. He thanked religious leaders who are complying but warned that law enforcement would “disperse” any large worship services and, if necessary, “take additional action up to the point of fines and potentially closing the building permanently.”
Americans “will tolerate a lot” during a crisis, says attorney Jeremy Dys, but they won’t abide threats of permanent closure.