Here are some important law-and-religion news stories from around the web:
- Religious leaders around the world are taking drastic measures in an attempt to halt transmission of coronavirus (COVID-19), including canceling worship services, closing religious schools, and shuttering holy sites.
- A website maintained by an Italian research group is curating articles concerning the effects the coronavirus pandemic is having on religious rules. (Thanks to Religion Clause and The Volokh Conspiracy for the lead.)
- The DOJ hosted training for its lawyers on religious liberty laws as part of AG Barr’s push to prioritize religious freedom, but some lawyers expressed concerns that the training was designed to teach ways to limit civil rights protections for LGBTQ people.
- The European Court of Human Rights declined to consider a case brought by two nurses who claim they were denied midwife jobs for refusing to carry out abortions, in violation of their rights to freedom of religion and conscience.
- The Kentucky House of Representatives passed a bill seeking to amend the state constitution to specifically state that women do not have a legal right to an abortion.
- The Florida House of Representatives passed legislation that would mandate that the state’s athletic association allow schools to broadcast prayer over a public-address system before sporting events.
- The former spiritual advisor to Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud.