“Ever since the pandemic began a year ago, public safety concerns have necessitated a limit on gatherings, public and private. By and large, the churches were glad to comply. However in early summer, it was becoming clear that many courts permitted states to open most places where people gathered but enforced severe limits on churches. Finally in November, the Supreme Court threw out strict numerical limits being applied to churches. The Supreme Court noted the fundamental point that the right to religious freedom is guaranteed by the First Amendment to the Constitution. On 25 March 2021, the District of Columbia finally fell in line, the last jurisdiction to do so, when a federal judge enjoined its strict numerical limits. As a result, churches in the District opened their doors to many more people during Holy Week and the Easter bells rang joyfully.
Thanks to the Archdiocese of Washington for bringing the case to court.”
– M.A. in Human Rights Program Director William Saunders
The Institute for Human Ecology
The Catholic University of America
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