Objective coverage of church-state and religious liberty developments, with extensive links to primary sources.
Tuesday, March 31, 2020
Pastor Arrested For Holding Church Services In Violation of Health Department Order
AP reports that in Hernando County, Florida, police arrested Tampa (FL) megachurch pastor Rodney Howard-Browne for holding two Sunday church services with hundreds of people in violation of a county emergency health department order to limit all gatherings to less than ten people. The pastor turned himself into authorities and he was released on $500 bond. The church claims it enforced the 6-foot distancing rule between families and took other precautions as well. Howard-Browne has said the church is an essential services and suggested he would fight the issue in court. [Thanks to Tom Rutledge for the lead.]
Labels:
COVID-19,
Florida,
Free exercise