British Pastors Sue Challenging Government COVID-19 Orders Which Closed Churches

In Britain, a group of 26 Christian pastors and activists have filed suit challenging the closure of churches as part of the response to COVID-19, even though the government has allowed reopening of churches as of July 4.  The complaint (full text) in The Queen on application of Omooba v. Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, (QB, filed 6/23/2020), contends in part:

The Claimants do not for a moment suggest that churches should have continued to operate as before notwithstanding the Coronavirus epidemic. Rather, the Claimants’ concern is that, as a matter of principle, the imposition of appropriate anti-epidemic measures in the Church is ultimately a matter for Church authorities rather than secular state authorities.

Christian Concern issued a press release announcing the filing. Free Thinker blog has additional reporting.