(The Slice): Pres. Trump said, "In America, we need more prayer -- not less" as he announced in and impromptu press briefing appearance that houses of faith will be deemed as "essential services" during the national Coronavirus shut down effective immediately. By this order, religious facilities - mosques, synagogues and temples included -- can open their doors and resume regular operations. He added that he will "trump" the decisions of governors who do not cooperate.
"The governors need to do the right thing and allow these very important essential places of faith to open right now. . .," Trump said. "If they don't do it, I will override the governors."
What's missing is the roadmap for returning to in-person worship.
Updated guidance directed toward preparing churches to re-open that was expected from the Centers for Diseases Control previously was not released by press time. The White House said the document was simply being revised, conflicting with a Washington Post report that indicated there were internal disagreements about the CDC's guidance for re-opening churches. A White House official said some of the suggestions were too "restrictive."
Churches are among public places where large groups of people gather that the federal government deemed off-limits initially.
Should worshippers reconvene, in addition to prayer, proper guidance is necessary. Until then, the CDC has drafted the Interim Guidance for Communities of Faith to mitigate re-opening plans at cdc.gov. A more detailed document is anticipated.
The president spoke by phone to pastors and faith leaders from around the country on Thursday, May 21 who continued to express the need to serve people who are facing the loss of loved ones alone or paying their final respect in unconventional ways or those needing prayerful spiritual support during this unprecedented national crisis. He told them he wanted our churches back open to exercise their role.
Evangelical leaders had complained that considering liquor stores were allowed to remain open, it was discriminatory to exclude churches from essential services.
With the stay-at-home orders in effect, most pastors have resorted to holding virtual services to feed their flock. Community outreach services like soup kitchens were shutdown to lessen the spread of the contagious COVID-19 virus, limiting the usual level of ministries meeting needs. Many churches have gotten creative in attempting to fulfill the needs of the community at large. Many pastors have already begun
Some faith leaders felt social distancing rules encroached upon their Constitutionally granted religious freedoms and remained open on their own terms. A number of pastors and church members have contracted COVID-19 and died in various parts of the nation. A Louisiana pastor was arrested for defying the state's guidance. In Arkansas, there was a Coronavirus outbreak in the church that infected a third of the membership, killing 3. Furthermore, experts have not indicated the first season of COVID-19 is over, but predict a second wave of the disease is expected in the fall.
The policy change comes as most states are already in phase one of a partial re-opening plan. Early on Trump had hoped to re-open churches by Easter.
Said White House spokesman Judd Deere, “all Americans want to see their churches safely open again. Not only is it good for the community, it’s their right under the Constitution to worship freely without government intrusion. The Trump administration will always protect that right and continue to partner with states to ensure congregations are properly protected as restrictions are responsibly eased.”
Attention to how to meet the spiritual needs of a nation in mourning from the Trump Administration has been minimal. Outside of the National Day of Prayer service on May 7 at the White House where a diverse swath of religious leaders shared ecumenical prayers, a person with spiritual authority has not stood behind a podium at 1600 Penn to quell the trauma from the massive deaths associated with the Coronavirus. How an entire society is to adjust after being on an extended lockdown is not only a spiritual concern, but a mental one for which no official experts have provided guidance.
Both the CDC and White House agree that to re-open responsibly that places of worship disincest and deep clean their buildings and consider the rate of Coronavirus infections in their area and administration official said.
The Slice will post links to the updated CDC Guidance upon availability.
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