Brookings, Oregon – A federal judge has ruled in favor of a church in a First Amendment case, preventing a southern Oregon city from shutting down the church’s homeless meal service. U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark Clarke deemed an ordinance passed by the city of Brookings to be a violation of the religious freedom rights of St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church. The church has been providing meals to the homeless since 2009. The ordinance required a permit to serve free food in residential areas and limited the church’s meal services to only two days a week.
In response to the ordinance, the church took legal action and filed a lawsuit against the city, arguing that the ordinance infringed upon their right to freely practice their religion. The federal judge agreed with the church, stating that the city failed to provide sufficient reasoning for restricting the number of days the church could provide the meals.
Rev. Bernie Lindley from St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church expressed that feeding those in need is an essential aspect of their religious beliefs, stating, “That’s the way we express our faith: by caring for people who are on the margins, especially people who are hungry.” Despite knowing that they would not be able to comply with the ordinance, the church opted to file a lawsuit, believing it to be unconstitutional.
While this ruling ensures that the church’s meal service can continue, both the city and the church are currently engaged in other legal battles. The city has also requested that the church cease its shower and advocacy services, actions which the church has appealed.
Brookings, located in southwest Oregon near the northern border of California, has become a battleground where the rights of religious institutions and the challenges of addressing the needs of homeless populations collide. This ruling by the federal judge is a significant development in the ongoing debate surrounding religious freedoms and the role of government in regulating services provided by houses of worship.
(Note: This article has been rewritten in AP News Style format and does not quote any news organizations.)