Catholic Priest Files Lawsuit Against New Jersey Governor, Rabbi Joins In — Gets Arrested

Father Kevin Robinson is suing New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy over his “inhuman and unchristian” stay-at-home order that he believes is infringing on his First and Fourteenth Amendment rights.

An Orthodox rabbi who has joined on to the priest’s lawsuit was arrested for holding a service on Monday evening.

Fr. Robinson of the Catholic St. Anthony of Padua Church in North Caldwell wrote in an email to parishioners announcing the lawsuit that “my civil rights have been violated as a result of Gov. Murphy’s unconstitutional order to shut down religious services in the State.”

The email continued on to explain that “it is our hope that this lawsuit will force the State to treat religious institutions as an ‘essential service,’ with the same allowances that are already made for other essential services. If we prevail, we will once again begin holding Mass at St. Anthony’s, albeit under some limitations.”