This YouTube video encapsulates the present status as he sees it. Keep in mind that MacArthur, although his interests do parallel most Christian denominations, is a radical Protestant who in fact does not believe Catholics are even Christian, and he has nice things to say here about Luther and Calvin.
He continues to raise an intriguing question -- of the thousanbds who come to worship each week at the non-conforming Evangelical parishes, there have apparently been very few cases, and no deaths, reported, and apparently very few with any symptoms. This suggests that empirically, going to church, even singing, exchanging the peace, and not social-distancing, is not high-risk activity.The unspoken context of some remarks by our pastor in yesterday's homily bear this out to some extent -- he seems uncomfortable with the idea of continually extending the dispensation from attending mass. Going to mass is good for people, and it's unfortunate that bishops are allowing people to lose a habit of virtue.
He endorsed an event scheduled for this comming Saturday in Los Angeles, the March for Faith. Unlike the Free the Mass procession in San Francisco last month, this event is non-denominational and explicitly non-partisan;
March for Faith does not endorse political parties or candidates. We promote First Amendment religious freedom for all Americans. All are welcome to attend this peaceful protest.The March for Life in San Francisco did result in a loosening of restrictions in that city, which had previously limited mass attendance to 12 people including celebrant and cantor, outdoors only. According to the archdiocese, on September 29,Please stick with non-partisan hats or clothing to express your patriotism, love of our Constitution, and respect for the law. Please no Trump or Biden signs, hats, T-shirts or other campaign paraphernalia. You are welcome to carry American flags, prayer books, rosaries or other small devotional items.
In the spirit of maintaining a peaceful event, we ask you to stay on city sidewalks and public property and observe all state and local laws on social distancing and personal safety.
Today, Mayor Breed announced that San Francisco will set the limit for religious worship up to the extent permitted by state health regulations. Archbishop Cordileone responds:Los Angeles and Ventura Counties continue to require worship services to be outdoors-only, with no singing, masks, and social distancing. (Ushers at our parish monitor the procesion for communion to be sure people observe the six-foot demarcations taped on the pavement.)“I want to thank Mayor London Breed for recognizing that faith is essential. As well, I want to thank the thousands of San Francisco Catholics and others who joined the processions, the more than 35,000 who signed the petition at benedictinstitute.org/liftunfairrestrictions, came to St. Mary Cathedral’s outdoor plaza to witness to our faith, wrote letters to the editor or op-eds, and who generally spoke up with one united voice under the banner: We are essential! Free the Mass!
. . . “Our petition effort, though, is not ended. The state of California’s limit of no more than 100 people inside of a house of worship regardless of the size of the building is still unjust. We want and we intend to worship God safely: with masks, social distancing, sanitation, ventilation, and other such safety protocols. But we will not accept believers being treated more severely than other, comparable secular activities.
“This movement is not over. Our work and victories have just begun. Thank you San Francisco people of faith and the thousands of others across the nation who are joining us at benedictinstitute.org/liftunfairrestrictions.”
A post on the Liberty Counsel site provides an update on the lawsuit filed on behalf of the Harvest Rock Church in Pasadena:
The lawsuit challenges both the total ban on in-person worship (including in private homes) in the counties on the “County Monitoring List,” and the ban on singing and chanting in the remaining counties. In addition to in-person worship at Harvest Rock Church, the church also has many “Life Groups,” which are home Bible studies and fellowship groups. These too are prohibited under Gov. Newsom’s July 6 (no singing and chanting) and July 13 (no worship) orders. Yet while he discriminates against churches, home Bible studies and fellowship meetings, the governor continues to encourage thousands of protestors to gather throughout the state. Like Gov. Newsom, Pasadena has allowed hundreds and thousands of protestors. Neither the Pasadena Public Health Department nor the Pasadena Prosecutor have attempted to stop the protests in which people are crowded together, many of them not wearing masks.While California weather continues to allow outdoor worship for now, this won't continue indefinitely, and it doesn't appear that authorities will modify their orders once rain and cooler temperatures make outdoor worship problematic.
