Pastor Rodney Howard-Browne has said that he will not close the doors of his Church in Tampa, Florida, until the end of time. The police did not wait so long.
On Monday, Sheriff’s deputies arrested Florida pastor-Evangelist, who continued to hold Church services, despite public orders, urging residents to stay home. It is reported by CNN.
Florida pastor Rodney Howard-Browne was arrested after holding services Sunday at his Tampa megachurch despite public orders urging residents to stay home to help contain the spread of coronavirus https://t.co/r0Du5vBarr pic.twitter.com/PqkPkNi8aa
— CNN Breaking News (@cnnbrk) March 30, 2020
Sheriff Chad Chronister from the district of Hillsborough at a press conference on Monday said that Howard-Browne was indicted on two counts: unlawful Assembly and violation of the rules of a medical emergency. Both are crimes of the second degree.
Last week Hillsborough County issued an order instructing residents to stay at home from March 27, with the exception of getting «basic services», a list which includes a trip to the grocery store, visiting the doctor’s office and pharmacy. A visit to the Church to «basic services» does not apply.
According to the state health Department in Florida was more than 6490 confirmed cases of coronavirus and at least 85 deaths.
Chronister said that he and the Department’s lawyers repeatedly called Howard-Browne to close the Church in Tampa Bay.
On Sunday, the Church held two services. The videos on the page in Facebook the Church shows a large crowd of people.
«His reckless disregard for human life put at risk hundreds of people, said Chronister at a press conference on Monday, and endangered thousands of residents who can interact with them.»
One of the lawyers of Howard brown on Monday made a statement in which he said that the Church on Sunday took additional precautions when performing services.
According to the lawyer Matt Staver, the Church gave each visitor a disinfectant for hands, forced their employees to wear gloves and ensure the distance of six feet between family groups in the hall.
«The Church complies with the administrative procedure concerning the distance of six feet, it is beyond the scope of any other business, ensuring the health and safety of people,— said Staver. — Contrary to the Sheriff Chronister that pastor Howard-brown was «reckless», the actions of the authorities and Hillsborough County Sheriff Hernando discriminate in relation to religion and Church meetings».
The President, Donald trump declared pandemic coronavirus emergency situation in the country, and the majority of churches, mosques, synagogues and temples was temporarily closed.
Howard brown, born in South Africa and opened a Church with 4 thousand members, is an outstanding Evangelist, who prayed in the oval office with trump in 2017. In recent days, the preacher expressed mixed observations and supported conspiracy theories about the coronavirus.
The pastor is not going to obey the orders prohibiting large gatherings. Church service on March 15, Howard-Browne has said that he will not close the doors of his Church to the ascension, when, according to Evangelical theology, believers will be raptured to heaven.
Howard brown defended his actions in a post on Facebook entitled «the End of days, part three,» reports CNN.
«I don’t deny that people die from coronavirus, he said. — We don’t talk about it. We say that this is completely disproportionate with what you close up the Church. The Church is not «insignificant»».
In a statement issued March 22 at the web site of the Church, submitted that the orders for the closure violates religious freedom.
«The government that decides who can attend the service by means of numerical restrictions does not demonstrate equality of rights.
This must be seen as itself a violation of the principle of separation of Church and state — said in a statement. — These orders are based on the definition of «basic» services.
What powers the government declares the Church is «irrelevant»?
The Church is a place where people seek help and comfort in the atmosphere of fear and uncertainty. In times of crisis, people are afraid and need comfort and community as never before».
But many legal scholars and believers reject the argument on religious freedom, saying that widespread orders distancing respond to the main state interest — public safety.
«Unfortunately, the pastor hides behind the first amendment» — said at a press conference on Monday, the state attorney Andrew H. Warren.
Emergency orders, such as this «constitutional,» said Warren.
«I would like to remind the good pastor of the line Mark 12:31, said Warren, referring to the Bible. — There is no greater commandment than to love your neighbor as yourself. And love for your neighbors should protect them, not endanger their health and expose to this deadly virus».
