Florida Senate Passes Bill Declaring Religious Services ‘Essential,’ Limiting Future Bans on Worship

LifeSite News ^ | 2/1/22 | Ashley Sadler

[marshmallow]

Under the measure, houses of worship would be considered ‘essential services’ and no emergency order may ‘directly or indirectly’ cancel public worship if any businesses remain open.

TALLAHASSEE, Florida (LifeSiteNews) — Florida lawmakers have passed a bill that would prohibit future “emergency orders” like those enacted during the COVID-19 response from closing down religious institutions if any businesses are allowed to stay open.

Florida’s Republican-led Senate approved the measure (SB 254) in a 31-3 vote Thursday. A companion bill filed in the House, HB 215, was advanced Wednesday and awaits a floor vote.

Under the new measure, houses of worship would be considered “essential services” and no emergency order may “directly or indirectly” cancel public religious services so long as any businesses remain open.

The move comes after religious groups along with conservative politicians and commentators raised the alarm over the past two years when churches and synagogues were told to close their doors while other businesses, sometimes including liquor stores and marijuana dispensaries, were allowed to remain open.

[livius]

Excellent! Now if only our Florida bishops would consider them essential…

[Beowulf9]

I thought that is what the Constitution did.

[Beowulf9]

I thought that is what the Constitution did.

[HIDEK6]

That is a superfluous law. It’s already codified in the first amendment to the US Constitution.

[Sacajaweau]

absolutely right

[A Formerly Proud Canadian]

I wish that even ONE of the eunuchs who are Provincial Premiers, federal gubmint Ministers or Leaders of the Opposition in PRC (Politically Repressive Canada), would STAND UP FOR such legislation!

Alas, there are NO MEN in power in PRC, though hopefully MAXIME BERNIER of the People’s Party of Canada, a true CONSERVATIVE, will gain a NUMBER of ridings in the next Parliament.