As some U.S. churches seek to open their doors for in-person services, a group of mostly evangelical Christian religious leaders is urging Congress to grant faith-based organizations legal immunity from coronavirus-related negligence lawsuits.
In a letter submitted to the Senate Committee on the Judiciary on Tuesday, nearly 300 religious leaders said they’re concerned about facing a “swarm of lawsuits” from people who will claim they’ve contracted COVID-19 at a house of worship or while receiving services from a religious charity.
As a result, the religious leaders want Congress to include liability limitations for religious organizations in the next COVID-19 economic recovery package.
The religious leaders’ letter was submitted on the same day that the Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing about limiting businesses’ liability during the pandemic.
The leaders named in the letter are seeking liability protections from “negligence suits resulting from [religious groups] serving the public or reopening in accordance with local orders.”
