Trump's threat intensifies tensions over reopening places of worship in Minnesota

Catholic leaders and Gov. Tim Walz met again Friday but made no announcement about reaching common ground.

May 23, 2020 at 4:47PM

Tensions over when and how to safely reopen places of worship intensified Friday, with President Donald Trump urging the nation's governors to let religious leaders open their doors immediately.

The Catholic Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis had already said it plans to reopen Tuesday at one-third capacity, despite Gov. Tim Walz's limits on group gatherings. Catholic leaders and Walz met Friday but made no announcement.

Trump threatened Friday to override any governors who fail to immediately open houses of worship, although the White House didn't cite any law giving him the right to do so. Minnesota churches, synagogues, temples and mosques have been closed since March 18, following Walz's stay-home order.

The political element brought more confusion to Minnesota's faith communities, grappling with when and how to congregate without spreading the highly infectious coronavirus. Faith communities feel like "footballs" in the debate, said Bishop Bruce Ough of the United Methodist Church for Minnesota and the Dakotas.

"The most difficult part is there isn't a consistent message coming from different levels of authority," said Ough. "It can be difficult to clarify how to move forward."

United Methodists, said Ough, will continue to take a measured approach to reopening, keeping church doors shut until public health experts recommend otherwise.

"We'll make decisions based on our faith tradition and safety, and not get caught up in all the bait and cultural divide," he said.

Walz decided this week to keep attendance at houses of worship capped at 10 people, while allowing restaurants to open for outdoor service. That decision was a surprise and disappointment to a huge block of religious leaders, who had expected the rules affecting them to be relaxed.

Now, many are quietly planning to reopen their houses of worship, regardless of changing signals from St. Paul or Washington.

Carl Nelson, president of Transform Minnesota, which represents the state's evangelical churches, said many evangelical leaders are preparing to open their doors in the weeks ahead. They're no longer holding out for state, much less federal, guidance, Nelson said.

River Valley Church megachurch, for example, announced Thursday that it would resume in-person services at its eight locations on June 1.

Nelson suggested that the faith groups in Minnesota could have influenced Trump's announcement.

"I think the growing reaction of the Catholic and evangelical communities in Minnesota has caught some national attention in the past few days," Nelson said.

Even within the Catholic community, opinions differ, however. While the Cathedral of St. Paul plans to open May 30 for in-person Masses, the Basilica of Saint Mary in Minneapolis does not.

Some religious leaders expressed their frustrations on Twitter and Facebook.

"I do not need the president to tell me I'm essential and need to open," wrote Pastor Natalia Terfa of Prince of Peace Lutheran in Brooklyn Park.

"The church has been and always will be essential and no pandemic will change that," Terfa continued. "The CHURCH is open but the BUILDING will remain closed until it is safe for everyone to gather together."

Walz, meanwhile, met with Catholic leaders Thursday and Friday to try to resolve their differences. The governor's spokesman, Teddy Tschann, said he is reviewing the new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines for houses of worship, issued after Trump's announcement.

An agreement could come together as early as this weekend.

"The governor's top priority continues to be the health and safety of Minnesotans," Tschann said.

The Cathedral of St. Paul. Catholic Archbishop Bernard Hebda said it's up to parishes to decide if they're ready for a return to public mass.
The St. Paul Cathedral plans to open May 30 for in-person masses, but the Basilica of St. Mary in Minneapolis does not. (Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz announced new guidelines for restaurants, bars, salons and barber shops during the coronavirus pandemic on Wednesday. (Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)
FILE -- House Speaker Kurt Daudt and Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka
Republican legislative leaders Kurt Daudt and Paul Gazelka. (Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Ben Nelson held the door open for people heading into confession at the St. Paul Cathedral. Nelson works maintenance at the Cathedral. Part of his responsibility include sanitizing and making sure that there are under 10 people inside during confessions. ] CARLOS GONZALEZ • cgonzalez@startribune.com – St. Paul, MN – May 21, 2020, COVID-19, Coronavirus, The St. Paul Cathedral is only open for confessions at this point. You can't just go in. Confession hours are from 3:30 pm to 5 pm, and you need
Ben Nelson held the door open for people heading into confession at the St. Paul Cathedral. Nelson works maintenance at the Cathedral. Part of his responsibility include sanitizing and making sure that there are under 10 people inside during confessions. ] CARLOS GONZALEZ • cgonzalez@startribune.com – St. Paul, MN – May 21, 2020, COVID-19, Coronavirus, The St. Paul Cathedral is only open for confessions at this point. You can’t just go in. Confession hours are from 3:30 pm to 5 pm, and you need to park your car on Selby Avenue and lineup single file, entering through one door (the handicap entrance). Folks wait in their car until you are allowed to enter. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Ben Nelson held the door open for people heading into confession at the St. Paul Cathedral. Nelson works maintenance at the Cathedral. Part of his responsibility include sanitizing and making sure that there are under 10 people inside during confessions. ] CARLOS GONZALEZ • cgonzalez@startribune.com – St. Paul, MN – May 21, 2020, COVID-19, Coronavirus, The St. Paul Cathedral is only open for confessions at this point. You can't just go in. Confession hours are from 3:30 pm to 5 pm, and you need
Ben Nelson held the door open for people heading into confession at the St. Paul Cathedral. Nelson works maintenance at the Cathedral. Part of his responsibility include sanitizing and making sure that there are under 10 people inside during confessions. ] CARLOS GONZALEZ • cgonzalez@startribune.com – St. Paul, MN – May 21, 2020, COVID-19, Coronavirus, The St. Paul Cathedral is only open for confessions at this point. You can’t just go in. Confession hours are from 3:30 pm to 5 pm, and you need to park your car on Selby Avenue and lineup single file, entering through one door (the handicap entrance). Folks wait in their car until you are allowed to enter. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
about the writer

about the writer

Jean Hopfensperger

Reporter

Jean Hopfensperger is the religion, faith and values reporter for the Star Tribune. She focuses largely on religious trends shaping Minnesota and the nation. 

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