KENTUCKY: Court Halts Gov’s Ban On Church Services

The Associated Press reports:

A federal court halted the Kentucky governor’s temporary ban on mass gatherings from applying to in-person religious services, clearing the way for Sunday church services. U.S. District Judge Gregory F. Van Tatenhove on Friday issued a temporary restraining order enjoining Gov. Andy Beshear’s administration from enforcing the ban on mass gatherings at “any in-person religious service which adheres to applicable social distancing and hygiene guidelines.”

The ruling from the Eastern District of Kentucky sided with the Tabernacle Baptist Church in Nicholasville, but applies to all places of worship around the commonwealth. Two other federal judges, including U.S. District Judge David Hale, had previously ruled the ban was constitutional. But also on Friday, Hale, of Kentucky’s western district, granted Maryville Baptist Church an injunction allowing in-person services at that specific church, provided it abide by public health requirements.

Via press release from Liberty Counsel:

Last night, Liberty Counsel won an injunction from a Kentucky federal District Court granting its request for in-person church services on behalf of Maryville Baptist Church and its pastor Dr. Jack Roberts. Liberty Counsel Founder and Chairman Mat Staver said, “I am pleased that Gov. Andy Beshear has been stopped from sending law enforcement to intimidate and harass churchgoers. The governor’s orders banning all religious gatherings have been stopped cold. The state has no authority to dictate the manner and form of worship for every church.”