![]() ![]() ![]() He has twice refused to agree to the conditions of his release, the network said. Ultimately Coates turned himself in on Tuesday and was arrested on charges of contravening the Public Health Act and refusing the undertaking, the CBC reported. Coates was preaching on Romans 13:1-4, a message titled “Directing the Government to Its Duty.” When the church met as usual last Sunday, they called for his arrest. GraceLife had been fined $1,200 in December, and this month officers found the church again in violation and issued an undertaking requiring Coates to comply. GraceLife Church in Edmonton, after shifting to livestream for the first few months of pandemic, resumed worship over the summer and has met every Sunday “without incident,” it says.īut authorities repeatedly flagged the church for not capping attendance at 15 percent of capacity, requiring masks, or social distancing, as required by health regulations in Alberta. The case of GraceLife Church pastor James Coates has reignited a religious freedom debate over worship gatherings during government lockdowns. Original post (February 19): A Canadian pastor arrested for violating public health orders remains in police custody after refusing the conditions of his bail: that he stop holding services that defy COVID-19 regulations. The pastor is scheduled to go to trial in May for one remaining charge over violating COVID-19 guidelines on gathering size. The court is aware that I'm contesting the legitimacy of that law but please, make no mistake. His congregation, GraceLife Church, has continued to meet for Sunday worship without complying with the province’s restrictions around capacity, masks, and social distancing.Ĭoates defended his stance before the judge saying, “I’m simply here in obedience to Jesus Christ, and it's my obedience to Christ that has put me at odds with the law. James Coates pleaded guilty to breaching bail and was issued a fine of $1,500, with his time spent in prison counting as credit for the fine, CBC News reported. ![]() Update (March 23): The Alberta, Canada, pastor who refused to comply with public health orders during the pandemic spent a month in jail before being released on Monday. ![]()
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