Corona Church's Fight For In-Person Worship Struck Down Again

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA — Two days after a Riverside judge rejected a church's bid for an emergency pre-Christmas ruling overturning Gov. Gavin Newsom's COVID- 19 guidelines on indoor worship, a federal appeals panel issued a similar ruling.

Pasadena-based Harvest Rock Church and Harvest International Ministry are challenging Newsom's stay-at-home restrictions, alleging violations of the First Amendment.

On Monday, U.S. District Judge Jesus Bernal turned down the ministry's request to block state restrictions on indoor worship. The next day, the church sought an emergency injunction with the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals against the governor's guidelines. On Wednesday, in a 2-1 decision, the Pasadena appellate panel turned down the request.

The case went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, which earlier this month ordered a lower court to review previous rulings.

The California Attorney General's Office opposed the ministry's efforts to challenge the health order.

The ministry contends Newsom's "tyrannical" executive orders placing restrictions on places of worship are unconstitutional and discriminate against churches.

As a result of the dramatic rise in coronavirus cases throughout the state last month, Newsom halted reopening plans and put almost all of California back under a strict set of rules that prohibit indoor worship and force most indoor business to close or operate at a fraction of their capacity.

Los Angeles County recently relaxed its guidelines for church services, allowing for socially distanced gatherings both indoors and outdoors.

Harvest Rock Church has multiple campuses, including in Pasadena, Los Angeles, Irvine and Corona. Harvest International Ministry has 162 member churches throughout the state.