Court Allows Kansas to Restrict Easter Services

“The Kansas Supreme Court on Saturday struck down a Republican-led effort to allow the continuation of in-person church services across the state despite the governor’s ban on such gatherings to prevent the spread of coronavirus — what has been called the ‘War over Easter’ here — as the virus-related death toll continued to rise,” the Washington Post reports.

“Republican lawmakers on the state’s legislative council revoked Gov. Laura Kelly’s (D) order on Wednesday — effectively allowing churches to hold regular services on Easter — saying that the order infringed on religious liberty. Kelly then took the matter to court, calling the Republican action ‘shockingly irresponsible.'”

Topeka Capital-Journal: “The unanimous decision means Kelly’s order limiting religious gatherings to no more than 10 individuals will be in effect for Easter Sunday services. The court didn’t consider whether Kelly’s order infringes on religious freedom.”