Frankfort, KY (May 9, 2020) — Two federal judges ruled on Friday that all Kentucky churches can hold in-person services starting Sunday, May 10, as long as they practice the social distancing and hygiene guidelines set by the CDC.

In one of the cases, Tabernacle Baptist Church in Nicholasville had recently filed a lawsuit against Governor Andy Beshear challenging orders to prohibit in-person church services, which U.S. District Judge Gregory F. Van Tatenhove ruled on on Friday evening.

U.S. District Judge David J. Hale issued a similar order in a case brought by Maryville Baptist Church in Bullitt County.

The ruling in the Tabernacle case further applies to all churches statewide.

Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron released the following statement on Friday evening regarding the rulings by the two federal courts:

"Two federal courts tonight issued orders, in two separate cases, against Governor Beshear’s unconstitutional executive orders prohibiting religious services. Both rulings affirm that the law prohibits the government from treating houses of worship differently than secular activities during this pandemic.

Freedom of religion, enshrined in the founding documents of our nation and our Commonwealth, has been affirmed many times over by our judiciary and was once again upheld tonight. The rulings should serve as a reminder that the pillars of our nation stand strong even in the midst of a crisis and are not to be ignored, cast aside, or downplayed, regardless of the circumstances. 

I encourage all houses of worship to prayerfully and carefully consider when it is the right time to resume in-person services consistent with health guidelines.  Although these rulings protect the religious liberty of Kentuckians, we must continue to do our part to protect the health of our fellow citizens by reopening carefully."

Click here and here to view each court's ruling.