A pastor from Louisiana defied the order of the governor against gatherings of over 50 people by bringing in more than 1,000 members for a Sunday church service.
The pastor, who on Tuesday brought hundreds together at another service, said he has no plans to stop, local media said.
Pastor Tony Spell, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, told Daniel Burke of CNN that on Tuesday he held a service for 400 people in his Apostolic Life Tabernacle Church.
The pastor leads the Life Tabernacle Church in Louisiana, and during the coronavirus pandemic, he managed to conduct several services in person.
He said that while he was investigated by law enforcement for breaching an emergency order banning gatherings of more than 50 people after 1,100 worshipers gathered for Sunday service, he feels it's a "persecution of the faith" to be asked to close his doors - and that his flock need him.
According to CBS affiliate WAFB, Spell said he does not think his congregation is at risk of having COVID-19, the coronavirus-related illness. "That is not a problem," he said.
Spell added that the virus - which has sickened 436,000 globally, and more than 26,000 in the United States - is "politically motivated" and they keep their religious freedoms "dear and we will meet no matter what anybody says."
Earlier this month, Louisiana Governor Jim Bel Edwards signed an order prohibiting gatherings of 50 or more people. He urged residents to stay home on Sunday, and only leave when needed.
Spell informed WVLA that shepherds would serve as first responders in the pandemic when paramedics and law enforcement "can't get there." Spell said he's also trying to obey social distancing guidelines and keeping the services outside and having parishioners stand two meters apart.
Speaking from his home via video conference, Dr. Phil informed the pastor that while he understands that during this difficult period people need help, he also knows how dangerous and deadly the coronavirus can be, and that the pastor has to answer those concerns.
Spell also told the outlet that after the service Tuesday night, police turned up at the church and threatened him that any potential meetings that reached 50 people would be broken up by the National Guard.
Yet a spokesperson for the National Guard in Baton Rouge on Wednesday told NBC News it is not interested in the matter and has no part to play in implementing social distance standards as outlined by Gov. John Bel Edwards.
