Because of COVID, Jews will ring in Rosh Hashana with empty synagogue seats
With the coronavirus pandemic, seats will be empty at synagogues and temples throughout California.
Sun Valley church defies court order with Sunday service
Grace Community Church in Sun Valley held a packed morning service Sunday, defying a court order directing them to refrain from holding indoor services due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Santa Clara pastor vows to keep holding indoor church service despite $52K in fines
North Valley Baptist church had already been hit with $15,000 in fines for two church services held on Aug. 23 then one on Aug. 26, according to the East Bay Times reports.
South Bay church fined $10,000 for holding indoor services during pandemic
A Santa Clara County church has been fined $10,000 for violating health restrictions and holding indoor services during the pandemic.
'The whole church has got it': Pastor says over 40 infected with coronavirus after multi-day revival event
More than 40 people at an Alabama Baptist church were infected with the virus the congregation held a series of religious services.
San Francisco priest says 'fear has replaced faith' and reports on COVID-19 are 'largely unreal'
Father Joseph Ilo also brought politics into the fray, noting that stoking fear about the deadly virus is raging during an election year. "Those who control the media have stated a vitriolic opposition to our incumbent president," he wrote.
Michigan convent sees 13 nuns die of coronavirus: 'It was very frightening'
The nuns, ages 69 to 99, included teachers, an author and a secretary in the Vatican Secretariat of State.
Sacramento pastor to defy Newsom's shutdown, possibly run for governor
Pastor Greg Fairrington, leader of 3,500-members Destiny Christian Church outside of Sacramento, said he plans to continue holding in-person services despite Newsom's second shutdown announced Monday.
Vatican says bishops should report sex abuse to police
The Vatican issued a long-awaited manual for bishops and religious superiors on conducting in-house investigations into allegations of priests who rape and molest minors and vulnerable adults.
After threats from city, Catholic archbishop in SF agrees to obey coronavirus rules
One such gathering occurred last Saturday, where Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone convened about three dozen worshipers to lament what he called the "blasphemous" toppling of the controversial statue of Junipero Serra.
Televangelist Jim Bakker sued by second state over coronavirus treatment claims
Attorney General Leslie Rutledge filed the lawsuit in Arkansas against Bakker and Morningside Church Productions, just three months after the state of Missouri filed a similar lawsuit.
Oakland pastor recovers from COVID-19, urges churches not to reopen until it's safe
Reverend Johnnie Clark with Word Assembly Church in East Oakland said it's a matter of life and death.
California gives the OK for churches to reopen with limited capacity
The order does not allow worship services to resume right away. It does, however, recommend that places of worship continue online services for those vulnerable to COVID-19, including older adults and those with comorbidities.
Clergy to gather in SF Monday to call for delay in reopening houses of worship
A group of black religious leaders plans to assemble at noon Monday to promote sticking with virtual worship services during the ongoing COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.
Officials: 2 California church services sources of virus outbreaks
Mendocino County public health officials said Sunday that six more people who participated in a Mother’s Day service at Assembly of God Church in Redwood Valley contracted the virus, raising the number of cases to nine and making the outbreak responsible for a third of local infections.
Religious leaders urge places of worship to stay closed despite call for reopening
Members of the San Francisco National Association for the Advancement of Colored People announced that on Monday, Memorial Day, they along with black pastors and members of the Interfaith Council will gather outside of City Hall at noon to hold a "Social Distancing Sermon" to urge black churches to keep their doors closed.
CDC warns of COVID-19 spread in group gatherings after 2 people infect dozens at church
The health agency shared a graphic detailing how two symptomatic persons infected at least 35 individuals at a church.
President Trump says churches and houses of worship are now considered essential, tells Governors to open them now
Trump made the remarks at the start of the Friday, May 22 press conference on coronavirus. He was in the briefing room for less than three minutes.
Trump deems houses of worship 'essential,' calls on governors to allow them to reopen
Trump said if governors don’t abide by his request, he will “override” them, though it’s unclear what authority he has to do so.
1,200 California pastors to defy state's stay-at-home order on May 31
More than 1,200 California pastors say they will resume in-person services on May 31 in defiance of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s stay-at-home order to slow the spread of the new coronavirus.