John,

Right now, many churches and places of worship around the country are running a full-court press, as they only wish to have the opportunity to hold services again. 

Truthfully, I trust that places of worship will know how to organize adequate instruments of social distancing within their facilities, and people of faith will be smart about protecting themselves and others... 

One example is Victory Baptist Church in Dedham, Massachusetts. Pastor Nick White planned to start holding services of no more than 10 people. He was immediately met with a cease-and-desist order from local officials moments after making the announcement. 

If people of faith are unable to attend small services or even drive-in service now -- we deserve to know why and when! It's right that people of faith are thought of as phases to reopen parks, stores, and libraries are prioritized. 

Please join our petition to support our bishops and our pastors and the entire faith-based community in our right to profess and celebrate our faith. It is time to trust the faithful to protect themselves and others and not ban their worship or keep the churches shut!

Restore Worship

Thanks so much,

Gregory Mertz and the entire CitizenGO Team

P.S. Examples of enforcement action on places of worship or people of faith are not limited to only Massachusetts. This is happening all of the country and world. As people of faith, we need to be a priority too!

Here's my original email with more details:


After waiting more than one month in confinement, the Government taskforce still excludes freedom of worship even during this new phase when many economic and social activities are being reopened.

In some states, services attendees received fines, pastors were threatened with arrest or even arrested, and threats were made.

Sign the petition to ask the Trump administration and Attorney General William Barr to prioritize the faith-based community, and protect the rights of worshipers and service attendees. 

SIGN THE PETITION

Dear John,

The time has come...

We all anticipated the press conference of President Donald Trump. Where he would introduce the new measures for this new phase in the coronavirus crisis to support the reopening of economic and social activity. In fact, after more than 1 month of total closure and confinement, social distancing, sacrifice, and proven patience, such announcement of a progressive return to normalcy was expected from many.

The faith-based community, in particular, waited in silence, obediently, hoping that the Government would help places of worship with the possibility of restoring worship and other services, responsibly and gradually. This was not the case.

But, to the contrary, in some states, services attendees received fines, pastors were threatened with arrest or even arrested, and threats were made.  

That’s why we have launched this petition in support of the restoration of Sunday worship, mass, and services. We want to support our bishops and our pastors and the entire faith-based community in our right to profess and celebrate our faith, without fear of repercussion.

Sign our petition to ask the Trump team and Attorney General William Barr to prioritize the faith-based community, and protect the rights of worshipers and service attendees.

Places of worship will know how to organize adequate instruments of social distancing within their facilities, and people of faith will be smart about protecting themselves and others.

  • Louisville Mayor bans drive-in Easter services. 
  • Police arrest Florida pastor Rodney Howard-Browne
  • Christians were fined for attending a drive-in church in Mississippi
  • Court lets Kentucky Governor ban in church services.
  • California County threatens to jail worship team for streaming worship. 
  • Mayor starts a registry of church attendees 
  • New York Mayor threatens the entire Jewish community after a funeral…

… these are only a portion of the headlines I grabbed from a basic google search. Who will stand up for the faith-based community when local and state officials use the Coronavirus declaration to seize influence over the closure of places of worship?

In the decrees and regulations already approved, there is not a single word for the faith-based community to rely on. The time has come for us to be heard!

Sign our petition to ask the Trump administration and Attorney General William Barr to prioritize the faith-based community, and protect the rights of worshipers and service attendees.

As bishops, pastors, rabbis, or leadership, make the decision to restore services with safety protocol in place, it’s important that they know that someone will have their back. 

As soon as services begin, the media will pounce. Mayor, County Commissioners, or Governors, will send police. The First Amendment affords us the protection to worship freely. I don't know about you, but it seems to me that our media and some government officials want churches and places of worship closed.

As we are discussing fully opening up the economy, who will have the back of service attendees?

Add your name to the petition to ask the Trump administration and Attorney General William Barr to prioritize the faith-based community, and protect the rights of worshipers and service attendees.

Thank you very much for all you do to defend freedom of worship.

Gregory Mertz and the entire CitizenGO Team

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