Churches aren't 'viral threats': Ministers confused by Beshear's call to suspend services

Correction: A previous version of this article misidentified a church that has canceled its fish fry. The church is Saint Andrew United Church of Christ.

Religious leaders in Louisville have called for a meeting of faiths in response to Gov. Andy Beshear's recommendation that places of worship suspend services amid the coronavirus outbreak.

At a press conference Wednesday morning, Beshear stressed that the move was needed to prevent the virus from spreading to people who are most at risk.

But the request has caused confusion for congregations citywide, with some seeing it as an affront to their religions.

"Places that at one time seemed safe and sacred are now being called out as viral threats," the Interdenominational Ministerial Coalition said in a statement Wednesday.

"The sanctity of church is needed during this uncertain time."

The coalition, led by the Rev. Frank Smith, will discuss its next steps at a special meeting Friday at the Antioch Baptist Church, 3315 Dixie Highway.

Beshear attempted to clear up confusion at a second press conference Wednesday afternoon, where he explained that two people in Harrison County who have developed the illness were connected through church.

The governor emphasized that his office is also asking all community gatherings — not just houses of worship — to cancel, postpone or present their events virtually.

"Let me say that I'm a deacon in my own church. My kids have handbells and choir every Wednesday night. We go every Sunday. It is a very important part of our lives," Beshear said. "I don't take this recommendation lightly.

"(But) these times require the courage to do the things that are going to protect the most vulnerable."

Across Louisville, pastors, rabbis and other leaders still spent Wednesday deep in conversation, as congregations from Portland to Goose Creek discussed canceling their services, Bible studies and even fish fries.

By midafternoon, some churches, synagogues and mosques were still torn on what they would do.

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Other congregations, however, had already made their decision.

The Rev. Stephen Smith adamantly said Portland Memorial Missionary Baptist Church will not cancel services for its 800 members.

"You're not closing grocery stores, you're not closing gas stations, so no — we're not closing anything," Smith said, adding that he emailed Beshear to say he thought the recommendation "was a little too strong."

Smith said his congregation is taking other precautions, including disinfecting surfaces and discouraging greeting with hugs or handshakes.

Unless the virus affects numerous people within the community, Smith said he does not foresee canceling church services  — and that includes its weekly Lenten fish fries. 

"If we tried to shut the fish fry down we'd have a protest in the street," Smith said. "These people are going to come and get their fish; they're not thinking about a virus."

The Rev. Lori Miller-Price, however, said fish fries and Sunday services are off the table this week for Saint Andrew United Church of Christ.

The church had already purchased some food for the Lenten fish fry, which serves as a fundraiser, but Miller-Price said she felt "the loss of some money is not as big a deal as being safe at this point."

"After listening to (Beshear's) request, we feel like it's our responsibility to do what they're asking," she said. 

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She said the church won't have a virtual service this week, but if the recommendation not to meet in person continues, the church would explore the option. 

Representatives for several Catholic churches told The Courier Journal they were waiting on a recommendation from the Archdiocese of Louisville — which covers 24 counties in Central Kentucky and represents 200,000 members.

Just after 5:30 p.m., the archdiocese issued a statement saying that it would not call for a cancellation of daily or weekend Masses.

"The Sunday celebration of the Eucharist is at the center of the life of the Church," the statement read. "Perhaps especially in difficult times, liturgical gatherings are a source of comfort and hope for the faithful, as well as an opportunity to offer our prayers to God for those who are suffering or who cannot be with us.

"At the same time, it is important – especially for those who are ill, feel vulnerable, or feel afraid – to be able to exercise individual discretion in light of this situation."

The archdiocese acknowledged that the virus is creating a rapidly changing situation, and it will continue providing updates as necessary, according to the statement.

An employee with Christ Church Cathedral said the downtown congregation was also awaiting a decision by the Episcopal Diocese of Kentucky.

The church has canceled choir rehearsals because several members are seniors who are considered most at risk for developing the virus. But it has not canceled its Sunday worship.

If the weekend service is canceled, the church will livestream it on Facebook.

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Associate Pastor Perry Dixon said Highland Baptist Church did not have a similar Plan B for providing virtual services to its 700 members.

"While we're progressive in some ways, we're not in others," Dixon said, adding that the church does not stream its services.

Members travel to Highland Baptist from several counties within Kentucky and Indiana, and Dixon said the church is taking its at-risk members into consideration.

The church announced late Wednesday that it would cancel services.

"Our community diversely includes everyone, and we're especially mindful of those particularly vulnerable," Dixon said earlier in the day.

Mindy Ott with the Kenesth Israel Congregation said the synagogue in Highlands Douglass has canceled its weekend services but will continue to hold smaller services through the week.

Fewer than a dozen members typically attend weekday services, Ott said, which are held in a small chapel at the synagogue. For now, Kenesth Israel will move those services into its main chapel, where members will be able to sit farther apart.

"We're still working through it," Ott said.

Background:Gov. Andy Beshear: Cancel church services to halt spread of coronavirus

In Goose Creek, New Life Church will continue with services as normal.

The congregation with more than 400 members is following health protocols recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Executive Pastor Phil Yeoman said.

"But we're not going to stop meeting," he said. "We do appreciate the governor's efforts. But it is what it is."

Reporter Bailey Loosemore writes about changes taking place in neighborhoods across the Louisville region — and what they mean for the people who live here. Does a change in your community represent a challenge or opportunity? Let her know at bloosemore@courier-journal.com, 502-582-4646 or on Twitter @bloosemore. Support strong local journalism by subscribing today: courier-journal.com/baileyl.