CHICAGO (CBS) — No masks were required, and hugs or any other physical touch were OK – those were the rules at a church that held a service Sunday on the Northwest Side.
The pastor is taking a defiant stance against stay-at-home rules. CBS 2’s Steven Graves spoke to him and found out not everyone agrees.
The rule from the State of Illinois is that 10 people or fewer are allowed at churches right now. But Metro Praise International Church in Belmont Cragin had about 50 people inside on Sunday.
Members of the church say they go by the rules of faith.
Thus, as their live stream showed I, there were no masks on some people as they sang praises and six-foot social distancing was a choice.
“That’s a part of our freedom of religion, we believe,” said the church’s Pastor Joseph Wyrostek.
Hand sanitizer and wipes are available at the door. But the Christian congregation believes in the healing power of touch – even amid a months-long pandemic.
“I will take the risk to hug you because I believe it’s good for you if you’re willing to take that risk at this point and you say you need it,” Wryostek said, “and the church should be there.”
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Source: CBS
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