New York’s Cardinal Dolan praises SCOTUS ruling on right to worship

"I’d like to congratulate [Brooklyn Archbishop Nicholas DiMarzio] and the @BrooklynDiocese on their victory for religious freedom in the US Supreme Court. Our churches are essential," said Dolan on Twitter.

"While we have been and will continue to adhere to all safety protocols to protect our communities, it is also important to protect that fundamental Constitutional right, religious liberty."

The recent Supreme Court ruling struck down parts of a lockdown order by the New York State government on the grounds that it was unfairly harsh on religious institutions, and therefore interfered with citizens' right to worship freely.

"I have said from the beginning the restrictions imposed by Governor Cuomo were an overreach that did not take into account the size of our churches or the safety protocols that have kept parishioners safe," responded DiMarzio

The Supreme Court ruling reads, in part:

"Not only is there no evidence that the applicants have contributed to the spread of COVID–19 but there are many other less restrictive rules that could be adopted to minimize the risk to those attending religious services," the decision reads.

"Among other things, the maximum attendance at a religious service could be tied to the size of the church or synagogue. Almost all of the 26 Diocese churches immediately affected by the Executive Order can seat at least 500 people, about 14 can accommodate at least 700, and 2 can seat over 1,000. Similarly, Agudath Israel of Kew Garden Hills can seat up to 400. It is hard to believe that admitting more than 10 people to a 1,000–seat church or 400–seat synagogue would create a more serious health risk than the many other activities that the State allows."

"Members of this Court are not public health experts, and we should respect the judgment of those with special expertise and responsibility in this area," the ruling asserts.

"But even in a pandemic, the Constitution cannot be put away and forgotten. The restrictions at issue here, by effectively barring many from attending religious services, strike at the very heart of the First Amendment’s guarantee of religious liberty. Before allowing this to occur, we have a duty to conduct a serious examination of the need for such a drastic measure."