Manhattan appeals court blocks Cuomo’s limits on religious gatherings

The federal appeals court in Manhattan on Monday struck down New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s pandemic-related executive order setting capacity limits at houses of worship –because it “discriminates against religion on its face.”

The three-judge panel on the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit unanimously sided with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn, the Orthodox Jewish group Agudath Israel of America and two synagogues who had sued Cuomo over the Oct. 6. attendance caps.

“The restrictions challenged here specially and disproportionately burden religious exercise,” and violate the Free...