Washington state Catholic leaders would rather stick it to the president than let him defend their right to celebrate Mass. Following President Donald Trump’s direction on Friday for states to allow houses of worship to reopened and to declare public worship as essential, Gov. Jay Inslee immediately thumbed his nose, and Washington bishops quickly follow suit.
In a disappointing response, the bishops demonstrated that rather than stand up for their flock and acknowledge the president’s commitment to religious freedom, they prefer hand-wringing and waffling while they wait for the governor to pass judgement. The bishops have shared with the governor broad practical guidelines outlining how Washington Catholics can “safely return to public worship.” It is their “understanding that these are in review with the Governor’s office now,” and they are “look[ing] forward to his rapid response.”
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