Kansas Republican leaders on Wednesday revoked Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly’s order limiting religious gatherings to 10 people, paving the way for churches to meet on Easter Sunday – a scenario health officials fear will further spread the deadly coronavirus across the state.
The order, issued Tuesday, sparked a strong backlash from GOP quarters, with some lawmakers and candidates condemning it as an overreach and a violation of religious liberty. Legislative leaders met Wednesday afternoon and voted along party lines to strike down the directive.
The action came hours after a memo to law enforcement from Attorney General Derek Schmidt discouraging police from enforcing the order, asserting that it was likely unconstitutional.
“In our view, Kansas statute and the Kansas Constitution’s Bill of Rights each forbid the governor from criminalizing participation in worship gatherings by executive order,” Schmidt wrote.
The order became effective on Wednesday.
“This time of year is one defined by renewal celebration and community for the people of all faiths,” Kelly said on Tuesday. “The disruptions created by this global health crisis has forced us all to approach it differently, regardless of our religious beliefs.”
Kelly told reporters the risk was too high to let religious gatherings continue as usual through the weekend
Three coronavirus clusters in Kansas were tied to church gatherings, according to KDHE.
Ahead of Easter weekend and Passover, Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly on Tuesday signed an executive order limiting religious services to 10 people. Republican lawmakers revoked the order on Wednesday, saying it was a violation of religious freedom.
The order, issued Tuesday, sparked a strong backlash from GOP quarters, with some lawmakers and candidates condemning it as an overreach and a violation of religious liberty. Legislative leaders met Wednesday afternoon and voted along party lines to strike down the directive.
The action came hours after a memo to law enforcement from Attorney General Derek Schmidt discouraging police from enforcing the order, asserting that it was likely unconstitutional.
“In our view, Kansas statute and the Kansas Constitution’s Bill of Rights each forbid the governor from criminalizing participation in worship gatherings by executive order,” Schmidt wrote.
The order became effective on Wednesday.
“This time of year is one defined by renewal celebration and community for the people of all faiths,” Kelly said on Tuesday. “The disruptions created by this global health crisis has forced us all to approach it differently, regardless of our religious beliefs.”
Kelly told reporters the risk was too high to let religious gatherings continue as usual through the weekend
Three coronavirus clusters in Kansas were tied to church gatherings, according to KDHE.
Ahead of Easter weekend and Passover, Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly on Tuesday signed an executive order limiting religious services to 10 people. Republican lawmakers revoked the order on Wednesday, saying it was a violation of religious freedom.
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