A group of Milwaukee-area faith leaders voiced their support Wednesday for Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers’ order barring public worship, days after Assembly Republicans pushed for exceptions for Easter and Passover services.

The Interfaith Conference of Greater Milwaukee said in a letter that the moratorium is a wise decision and that the Republicans’ request — which Evers denied — is troubling.

“To pull back from that decision — on a case-by-case, congregation-by-congregation, temple-by-temple, mosque-by-mosque, synagogue-by-synagogue basis — puts an undue burden on faith leaders at a time when their energies are best turned elsewhere,” the letter reads.

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In-person services also jeopardize the health of older people, a population that often attends religious services.

The month of April has four major religious holidays: Easter, Passover, Ramadan and Vaisakhi, a Sikh holiday celebrated this year on April 13. Under Evers’ order, no public worship services or gatherings are allowed.

“Is it a sacrifice? Yes,” the letter reads. “People of faith understand sacrifice and what it requires to give oneself in love for others.”

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The Interfaith Conference said faith organizations are getting creative with the physical separation, introducing virtual services and meetings. And online services have attracted a broader population than those that feel comfortable attending in-person services, the group said.

The faith leaders said they have a responsibility to keep their congregations safe, and that the Assembly Republicans’ request would not honor that.

“While we are grateful for the desire of government leaders to protect religious freedom, we have learned that with freedom comes responsibility,” the letter reads. “Freedom is freedom for the service and care of others.”

Contact Sophie Carson at (414) 223-5512 or scarson@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @SCarson_News.