Milford Church Sues To Stop State From Closing Educational Ministries

On March 1, 2023, the state of Connecticut gave Milford Christian Church a three-headed ultimatum: (1) Submit a plan by March 15 detailing how you will force your students to get vaccinated despite your religious beliefs; (2) expel your unvaccinated students; or (3) the State will close your doors.

Pastor James Loomer – known affectionately to his flock as Pastor Jim – Milford Christian Church’s board, and Janet Parady – known affectionately to the students in her charge as Miss Janet – said no to this ultimatum. They refuse to change their church’s fundamental principles of faith, turn parents and students away, or stop ministering to those who God has called them to minister to. They have been joined in their faithfulness by Jessica Cavarretta – the mom of a Milford Christian Church student.

On March 7, 2023, with the generous help of We The Patriots USA, Inc., Attorney Cameron Atkinson filed a federal civil rights lawsuit on their behalf challenging the constitutionality of the state’s conduct and the law eliminating religious exemptions for children attending public, private, and apparently religious schools, daycares, and preschools in Connecticut.

The stakes for this lawsuit could not be higher. The state’s interpretation of the law mandating vaccinations for children in Connecticut schools means that churches and religious schools can no longer serve as sanctuaries for people who refuse to compromise their faith and still wish to educate their children. In other words, parents with sincere religious beliefs opposed to vaccination and abortion have no way to educate their children in the state of Connecticut.

On March 9, 2023, Attorney Atkinson filed an emergency motion for a temporary restraining order and a preliminary injunction on behalf of Pastor Jim, Miss Janet, Jessica, and Milford Christian Church, arguing that state has violated their rights to religious liberty, free speech, freedom of association, equal protection, and to direct the rearing of their children. Atkinson writes in his motion:

[T]he Defendants have figuratively battered down the church door and literally sought to interpose their regulations between the Plaintiffs and God in church schools, daycares, and preschools with no regard or respect for the Plaintiffs’ religious convictions. In other words, [they have left] the Plaintiffs no place where they can remain faithful to their religious convictions while securing their children’s future by providing them with the education necessary to be contributing members of society.

With respect to Pastor Jim, Miss Janet, Jessica, and the Milford Christian Church, Atkinson comments: “They are simple people of faith who just desire to obey God and serve their community in peace as they have done for more than 30 years. They will not turn people away or lead them into spiritual error because the state commands them to. I join them in praying that our federal constitution still protects them and prevents the state from closing their doors, and I can think of no greater honor than standing for them in this fight.”

If you wish to support Pastor Jim, Miss Janet, Jessica, and the Milford Christian Church, please remember them in your prayers and come to their Sunday services at 10 AM as all are welcome. If you wish to support their legal fight, please donate to We The Patriots USA.

A copy of their emergency motion for a temporary restraining order and a preliminary injunction is below: