- The Iona Institute - https://ionainstitute.ie -

US state approves protection of religious services in response to pandemic measures

Voters in Texas have voted to prohibit the state from [1] taking any action that would prohibit or limit religious services.

SJR 27 bars “the State of Texas or a political subdivision from enacting, adopting, or issuing a statute, order, proclamation, decision, or rule that prohibits or limits religious services”.

The proposition also says that the amendment “would apply to religious services, including those conducted in churches, congregations, and places of worship, in the state by a religious organisation established to support and serve the propagation of a sincerely held religious belief”.

The Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops (TCCB) tweeted their support for the amendment. They wrote: “Yesterday, Texas voters took to the polls. Two constitutional amendments to the Texas Constitution that the TCCB supported (Proposition 3 & 6) passed. Protect religious liberty and guarantee access to essential caregivers at nursing homes and assisted care facilities.”