Worcester Pastor Sues Gov. Baker, City Over Coronavirus Ban

WORCESTER, MA — A Worcester pastor who has been holding church services in defiance of a coronavirus-related ban on public gatherings sued state and city officials on Thursday over the ban.

The Rev. Kristopher Casey of the Adams Square Baptist Church has for several weeks been holding services with more than 10 people, the limit set in Gov. Charlie Baker's ban on gatherings meant to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

City officials have fined Casey, and last week filed a criminal complaint against him. Casey's federal lawsuit seeks an injunction on Baker's order so that the church does not further criminal fines for holding services.

On Thursday, Casey sued Baker, City Manager Edward Augustus Jr., and police chief Steven Sargent, Worcester city officials said.

"We're in receipt of those documents," Augustus said during a Thursday news conference referring to the lawsuit. "We're not intending on commenting further given the fact that this will be handled through the court system."

On May 8, Casey's attorneys, Ohio-based Gibbs and Associates, sent Baker a letter warning that the ban may need to be justified in court.

"When government action targets religious exercise, the First Amendment's free exercise clause requires the government provide that its restriction advances a compelling interest by the least restrictive means," the letter said.

The lawsuit comes as Worcester officials grapple with a local outbreak that is still near-peak. Worcester 124 new cases on Thursday, and the state's death toll crossed the 200 mark — although hospitalizations have fallen steadily over the last five days.

Baker's ban was put in place to slow person-to-person spread of coronavirus. Casey has said his attendees at his services observe social-distancing guidelines and must wear face coverings. He has been holding services on Sunday morning and Wednesday evenings, and some have attracted worshipers from out of state.

Business owners, religious leaders, and politicians in states like Michigan, Illinois, and California have filed lawsuits challenging various coronavirus bans. In Massachusetts, a group of gun store owners sued Baker after those stores were deemed non-essential. A lawsuit filed against Baker by owners of recreational marijuana stores was dismissed in mid-April — a judge sided with the state's argument that Baker was not required to choose the least-restrictive option during a public health emergency.