Pastor james coates canada9/27/2023 ![]() ![]() Now instead of a separation of church and state, we have the suppression of church for state. ![]() ![]() From mandatory mask mandates to the banning of indoor church services what we are seeing is the destruction of the old Jeffersonian principle of a separation of church and state (though this was never meant to be construed as a separation of religion and civics). Their refusal to follow the rules puts others at risk.The recent arrest of Grace Life Church pastor James Coates in Alberta is not just a travesty because it violates freedom of religion in Canada, but because it is a harbinger of the church to come. “The people attending this church are not above anyone else. So many other congregations across the province have made sacrifices and adapted their services to comply with public health orders,” tweeted Notley. Later Sunday, Opposition Leader Rachel Notley tweeted a call for GraceLife to be shut down, saying “enough is enough.” They are also allowing 100 people to gather for outdoor events. Ontario has taken a regional approach to its public health restrictions with most regions allowing up to 30 per cent capacity for indoor religious gatherings, weddings and funerals. They said the judge found the provincial orders did infringe on the church’s rights but that it was justified. The Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms (JCCF), the same group that represents Coates, represented the B.C. By contrast, British Columbia is set to allow indoor worship services of up to 50 people or 10 per cent of a building’s capacity, whichever is less.Įarlier, several churches in B.C.’s Fraser Valley saw a judge dismiss a petition arguing they should be allowed to open. He did not expand on what further steps AHS public health inspectors may be considering if the church continues to not follow public health restrictions.Īlberta currently allows in-person faith and religious gatherings to be held to a maximum of 15 per cent of fire code capacity as long as physical distancing can be maintained and masks are worn. RCMP have previously said only a public health inspector has the authority to shut down an establishment.Īlberta Health Services spokesman Kerry Williamson said he did not have anything further to add when asked who is able to enforce orders. She said when it comes to GraceLife Church, RCMP are available to assist Alberta Health Services this Sunday if necessary. Laurel Scott said Tuesday police are able to issue tickets in relation to public health regulation breaches. Shawna King, a spokeswoman with Alberta Justice, echoed that line, saying individual enforcement decisions are made by the local health inspector. When asked last week what steps Alberta Health can take to enforce public health measures if orders continue to be ignored, spokeswoman Sherene Khaw said enforcement decisions are made by local health inspectors or law enforcement. After his guilty plea, several other charges against Coates were withdrawn and he was released from jail with no court-ordered conditions. ![]() He remained at the Edmonton Remand Centre for 35 days after not agreeing to following court orders if released.Ĭoates said it was his dedication to Jesus Christ that was putting him at odds with the law, before receiving a $1,500 fine from the court. However, one cruiser remained behind and parked just off the property.Ĭoates was released from custody Monday after pleading guilty to breaching a court undertaking that revolved around following COVID-19 public health restrictions. The officers spoke with someone outside of the church for a few minutes before leaving the grounds. Two RCMP cruisers arrived shortly after the start of the sermon. The parking lot was filling quickly around 10 a.m. RCMP officials have repeatedly stated those measures were not followed while they were on scene. The church, just a few minutes west of Edmonton in Parkland County, has continued to hold packed Sunday services despite RCMP and Alberta Health Services inspectors appearing each week to ensure public health measures aimed at stemming the spread of COVID-19 are followed. GraceLife Church was bustling Sunday morning as pastor James Coates returned to the pulpit after being jailed in February for flouting COVID-19 public health measures. ![]()
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