Kansas Governor Seeks Resurrection Of Church Ban Order
By Stefan J. Bos, Special Correspondent Worthy News
(Worthy News) – The Democratic governor of Kansas has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. state’s Republican-controlled council after it revoked her executive order limiting church meetings ahead of Easter. Governor Laura Kelly wants the court to resurrect her ban on religious gatherings of more than ten people. She says the measure is necessary to limit infections amid a new coronavirus pandemic.
Kelly referred to three religious gatherings that she said led to outbreaks of the virus disease, COVID-19. The Kansas Supreme Court was due to hear her arguments Saturday.
Governor Kelly condemned the decision by the seven-member Legislative Coordinating Council to strike down her executive order, which included church services. “The last thing I want right now is a legal battle,” the governor claimed while announcing the lawsuit.
“But as I said yesterday, Kansas lives are on the line. And I took an oath to uphold and defend the constitution.”
Kelly stressed she would argue in her lawsuit against the council that the full legislature, not the council, must vote to overturn the executive order. She claims the Legislative Coordinating Council has no authority to reverse her decision during a pandemic as it is only a seven-member hybrid council. The council features members of both the Kansas house and the senate.
She argued that the small group, which voted along party lines, could not overrule her order. The court case marks the latest chapter in an escalating conflict over public health and faith during one of the most important festive seasons on the Church calendar.
Many churches in the United States and other countries were forced to shut down this Easter season. Several denominations are offering online services, but some have continued to organize worship gatherings.
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