‘We Want God,’ Oregon Protesters Say, Demanding Expanded Church Attendance
Crux | 12/1/20 | Ed Langlois

SALEM, Oregon — More than 400 flag-waving, rosary-toting demonstrators huddled outside the Oregon Capitol Nov. 28 to press against state coronavirus limits on church attendance.

Despite a pewter sky and frigid temperatures, the largely Catholic crowd enthusiastically declared an even deeper mission: Stop marginalizing faith from public life.

“We will not surrender one more centimeter of religious freedom to any government,” said Father Theodore Lange, chaplain of the Oregon Knights of Columbus.

The Knights organized the rally after Gov. Kate Brown announced a 25-person limit in churches statewide. After protests from Archbishop Alexander K. Sample and other leaders, Brown on Nov. 25 expanded church attendance to 25 percent of capacity, or 100 people, whichever is less.

The concession did not seem to satisfy demonstrators.

“We want God!” they chanted, calling for churches to be open completely. Most wore face masks but many stood shoulder to shoulder, disregarding organizers’ requests and state guidelines to help prevent spread of the virus.

The Deity, unaware of the guidelines for preventing the spread of the virus, was beside and within all the protestors. However, He scoffed at all reference to a pewter sky.