California Court Slaps Down Newsom Ban on Church Gatherings

California Superior Court Judge Gregory Pulskamp delivered a stinging rebuke of Gov. Gavin Newsom late Thursday, ruling against “all COVID-19 restrictions that fail to treat houses of worship equal to the favored class” of businesses like Walmart and movie production houses.

The ruling came late Thursday in the case of Father Trevor Burfitt v Gavin Newsom, a suit brought by attorneys for the Thomas More Society on behalf of Father Trevor Burfitt and parishes in San Bernadino, Los Angeles, Kern and San Diego. Those parishes, as well as Protestant, Jewish, and other religious groups were barred from holding indoor gatherings of any kind.