TOPEKA, Kan. (KSNT) – The Legislative Coordinating Council on Wednesday reversed an executive order issued by Gov. Laura Kelly limiting religious gatherings and funerals.

The executive order was issued Tuesday after Gov. Kelly said multiple coronavirus cases in Kansas are tied to religious gatherings. It went into effect on Wednesday.

Republican lawmakers on the council said on Wednesday this executive order goes too far in singling out one entity and limiting the free exercise of religion. They added that there isn’t any current data to indicate the need for this level of prohibition.

The council consists of five Republicans and two Democrats.

Lawmakers that supported revoking the order said Kansans are already adapting the way they worship.

“Most of them are already planning to stay home and pray together and watch services online, they just felt like it was a violation of their constitutional rights to have the government tell them that they cannot participate in a church service,” Senate President Susan Wagle said.

“It wasn’t that they wanted to attend a service and be around a bunch of people, what they don’t want is government telling them that they can’t practice their religious freedoms and their religious rights,” Wagle continued.

Speaker of the House Ron Ryckman chairs the council. He joined Wagle and other Republicans in voting to strip the executive order.

“Faith leaders accept a tremendous responsibility to look out for those who look to them for guidance,” said Ryckman. “In these uncertain times we need to grant these leaders the flexibility to serve their congregation while also trusting them not to do anything that would put their congregation at risk. No evidence has been shown to indicate that faith leaders are violating that trust.”

Democrats on the council said the vote was political and potentially dangerous.

“I think the LCC has made a big mistake today. Unfortunately even if it’s just one large gathering happens because the ban on 10 or more is gone, that could cause more people to die, and that’s unfortunate,” House Minority Leader Tom Sawyer said.

“I think it’s important that we stop mass gatherings, we just stick it out a little longer and get through this,” Sawyer said.

Lawmakers recently passed a law that requires the council to approve or revoke Kelly’s executive orders.

In a news conference Wednesday, Kelly said this was a “shockingly irresponsible decision.” She said she’s directing her chief counsel to explore their legal options to “resolve this confusion.”

Kansas Interfaith Action sent the following statement to KSNT News.