The Catholic Diocese of Madison, Wisconsin, on Wednesday threatened to sue the local government over church service capacity limits, using the current widespread riots as justification.
In a letter sent to Madison officials, Bishop Donald Hying said the 50-person limit on services was not sufficient to meet the needs of people suffering from both the coronavirus pandemic and the outburst of violence that has overtaken many cities.
“In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic and the racial injustice of the past week, our community is crying out for unity, for grace, and for spiritual healing,” he said. “We are ready and able to answer that call, but the 50-person cap has unjustly stifled our pastoral mission.”
Hying argued that churches have been treated unfairly because they are subject to stricter reopening rules than businesses in the area. He noted that, while the diocese cares for the health of its members, the church’s mission also includes caring for the “spiritual needs of the community.”
The diocese said that if restrictions are not lifted by Friday, it will sue. The letter was signed by attorneys from the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, which has represented several other churches in lawsuits against governments.
In the past week, a growing number of religious institutions have spoken out against restrictions on church services, especially as riots have brought more people to their doors, seeking aid.
In New Jersey, the only state in the country where services are still completely banned, several churches reopened after protests began to intensify into riots.
At the Dwelling Place Pentecostal Church, which opened on Sunday, pastor Franco Acevedo told congregants to let faith guide them through darkness, “and if you look around, it’s pretty dark,” in reference to the pandemic and the riots.
“I would hope that as people see the hatred and the violence, they will say, ‘This is a time when I need to come and be healed spiritually and emotionally,’” he said, according to NJ Spotlight. “I would like to think we can provide a place for them to come, and to be loved, and to see a light in the darkness.”
