‘We Have to Obey God's Word’: Calif. Church Fined $1 Million for Worshiping Indoors
A California judge on Thursday said the pastors of a well-known church that has held indoor worship services won’t have to serve time jail, although the congregation still faces substantial fines of more than $1 million.
Attorney Robert Tyler, who is representing Calvary Chapel San Jose and its pastor, Mike McClure, said after a court hearing that the judge said Santa Clara County is “only looking for monetary sanctions” and does not want to place McClure or any other pastors in jail.
“Thank God,” Tyler said. “... That’s off the table.”
The church has held indoors services in violation of pandemic health restrictions. The church also violated a court’s November restraining order enforcing the health restrictions....