Calvary Christian Fellowship in San Jose, California, Awaits Ruling in Religious Freedom Suit Over $2.87 Million in COVID-19 Fines

Calvary Christian Fellowship (CCF) in San Jose, California, is continuing its legal dispute with Santa Clara County. Pastor Mike McClure leads the church, which faces $2.87 million in fines for keeping its doors open during the COVID-19 pandemic, in violation of county orders.

On a Thursday, McClure and Advocates for Faith & Freedom (AFF), the nonprofit law firm representing him, appeared at a hearing in federal court. CCF is suing Santa Clara County and its officers over the implementation and enforcement of COVID-19 public health orders, which the church contends are unconstitutional. According to AFF, “Plaintiffs seek to enjoin the Defendants from collecting one penny and seek a judgement that the Defendants violated the First Amendment and the Excessive Fines Clause of the Eighth Amendment.”

The judge made no ruling at the hearing and indicated that a decision may take about two months.

The day before the hearing, CCF posted on Facebook that its lawyers would present evidence gathered over the previous 18 months through discovery and depositions. The church said it hoped the judge would rule in its favor based on that evidence, so that the case would not proceed to trial. “This is the best possible outcome for our church,” the post said. Presenting the evidence openly before the court is a matter of honest testimony (Proverbs 18:17).

McClure asked supporters to pray for the judge and the AFF lawyers. He also said, “Pray that God will be glorified today and that He will use this as another opportunity to bring more people to salvation.”

The source describes the case as one of the most notable examples of excessive government overreach and persecution of the Christian church in America, though it does not identify who holds that view beyond “many.”

Source: Read the original report