You should know that choosing only ten (10) people among so many parishioners can create conflicts, feelings of preferences, and even divisions in our congregations.
New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo, the same one who once said that there was no place in New York for people who opposed abortion and same-sex marriage, the same governor who refused to give credit to God for the descent of the Coronavirus saying, “God did not do it, the faith did not do it, it was us”, now says that the pastors have to choose only ten (10) people to attend church.
Knowing the sentiment of our people, any pastor who decides to choose the ten (10) privileged, ignoring hundreds of other faithful, dedicated and eager to worship God in the temple, that pastor risks hurting the feelings of many when thinking that he is making exception of people in the church.
As a pastor of the Christian Community Church at 1437 Longfellow Avenue in Bronx County, I am not ready to choose 10 people from the whole congregation and ignore and hurt the feelings of the rest.
As a pastor I am not and will not be willing to tell you if you can come to worship and tell others you cannot come, get in the line or waiting line until it is your turn. Ridiculous!
Now the president of the nation has said that religious services are essential and that he would compel the governors to open the churches. I honestly do not know whether or not the president has the power to order the governors to open the churches in their entirety; but the subject of worship in synagogues, mosques or temples has taken a leading place in the political debate.
I ask all pastors and ministers that we should double our prayers, so that soon all the doors of our temples can be opened to receive everyone equally and without exception.
I am Councilmember Rev. Rubén Díaz, Sr. and this is what you should know.
