One month ago, MFI worked with nearly 500 pastors to send a strong message to our Governor to reopen the churches. Their voices were heard, and on Monday, May 18th, Governor Baker’s Phase 1 included specific provisions for churches to begin meeting at up to 40% of building capacity. However, some local officials are trying to keep the doors of local churches closed.
Mayor Joe Curtatone of Somerville is insisting on limiting churches to ten or fewer people indefinitely. This comes despite the fact that Somerville’s rates of Covid-19 (currently at 1.2%) are below the state average of 1.4%. The mayor’s anti-church policy is also in direct violation of the Governor’s order that prevents local municipalities from making their own rules on COVID-19 policies.
Several pastors in Somerville reached out to MFI for help, and we partnered with the national religious freedom legal ministry First Liberty to inform the mayor that these pastors and their congregations are free to worship. The story was quickly picked up by Fox News, and you can read it all here. We will keep you posted on the situation in Somerville, and please contact us if your church is being handcuffed by overzealous local officials. We’re here to help.
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