Kansas Supreme Court Meets Via Zoom, Upholds Church Gatherings of Ten or Less
Kansas Supreme Court Justices Hear Arguments Via Zoom ... Uphold 10 or Less in Church
UPDATE
6:32 AM PT -- 4/12 - Governor Kelly wins. The Kansas Supreme Court ruled the Legislature lacked the authority to override Kelly's resolution. The Court's decision was based solely on the language of the resolution. The Justices did NOT address the Legislature's claims Gov. Kelly had infringed on religious freedom.
UPDATE
Bottom line: Easter services -- and all church services during the state's safer-at-home order -- must, legally, have 10 or fewer people.
UPDATE
Kentucky had a similar ruling, upholding the Governor's plan to ban mass gatherings for church with one exception ... a drive-in Easter service being held in Louisville
The Kansas Supreme Court will decide today whether Kansans can flock to church for Easter, and they're deliberating on webcam ... just like the rest of us.
The surreal scene went down Saturday morning as all 6 state Justices hopped on a Zoom conference from their homes to hear oral arguments in a case that will have major ramifications in the state -- and perhaps in others too.
The case is between Kansas Governor Laura Kelly and the Kansas State Legislature -- the latter overturned Kelly's executive order banning religious gatherings of 10 or more people.
Gov. Kelly didn't take that sitting down -- she sued the state body and now the matter's being discussed by the highest court in the Sunflower State. Gov. Kelly wanted this figured out before Easter, and she'll get it too. A decision is expected later today.
It's just the latest installment in pastors vs. coronavirus. As you know, several church leaders -- including Tony Spell in Baton Rouge -- insist they can and will continue holding services that violate social distancing. Spell told us his parishioners would be happy to die from the virus if it means they can go to church.
Of course, all the other people they could infect outside his church don't get a say in the matter.
Anyway, point is ... a lot of eyes are on Gov. Kelly and the Kansas Supreme Court.
Originally published -- 12:27 PM PT
