The Volokh Conspiracy

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Religion

France's Highest Court Orders Easing of Church Attendance Limits

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Reuters (Gilles Guillaume & Antony Paone) reports that the court (the State Council)  "ordered the government to review a law limiting the number of people in churches during religious services to 30":

"The claimants are right in saying that the measure is disproportionate in light of protecting the public's health … thus it is a serious and illegal infringement on the freedom of worship," the council said….

"No other activity is limited by such a limitation regardless of surface area," [the Conference of French Bishops] said.

Catholic organisations are proposing to allow churches to utilise 30% of their seating capacity.

Thanks to Prof. Howard Friedman (Religion Clause) for the pointer.