The northern Illinois church that made national headlines for holding in-person services last Sunday is planning services again for this Sunday, in defiance of Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s stay-at-home order.
On Monday, Pritzker threatened churchgoers who “persistently” defy his order with jail. Despite the threat, Steve Cassell, pastor of The Beloved Church in Lena, said he wants to avoid a media spectacle surrounding the services.
“I would like to connect to all those who support us,” Cassell told NW Illinois News. “But I also want to make it clear that the services are for those who want to hear the Gospel.”
Steve and Kay Cassell
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Last Sunday, an estimated 80 of the faithful—practicing safe distancing guidelines, Cassell said—were present at The Beloved Church services, violating the governor’s recently updated order that permits church services of 10 or fewer. The original order completely banned in-person services, but facing a lawsuit filed in federal court on behalf of the church Pritzker updated the order late last Thursday.
On Saturday night, Judge John Lee of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, denied the church’s request for a temporary restraining order and injunction. Still, local law enforcement did not interfere with Sunday’s services, and Cassell said he’s in discussions with them again concerning this Sunday’s services.
Earlier this week, the Thomas More Society (TMS), who filed the original legal action on behalf of the church, appealed Judge Lee’s ruling to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.
Peter Breen, Special Counsel to TMS, called Pritzker’s 10-person limit “arbitrary” as it applies only to churches but not to many businesses, including liquor stories and pet groomers.
“Our constitution requires that churches receive at least equal treatment as any secular enterprise,” Breen said in a statement. “Pritzker’s latest threat of jail for people of faith is outrageous, and we will seek immediate relief from the court of appeals to defend our clients.”
Cassell said limiting his church services to 10 people would mean that no congregants would be able to attend.
“My wife couldn’t even attend under the governor’s order,” he said. “It takes that number of support people just to have the service.”
That number, Cassell added, now includes a guard inside the front door in light of threats made against the church for defying the order.
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