![]() ![]() He has been charged (See Links) for having church service. Pastor James is facing what not too long ago would have been unheard of. He has stood on the word of God faithfully, courageously and uncompromisingly as a man of God when all around him men falter and fail. Pastor James Coates has been a rare and refreshing voice of courage in these unprecedent times. 17, 2021."Therefore as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith." Galatians 6:10 NKJV. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. Hinshaw said COVID-19 care requires specialists, and if the pandemic expands to the point the health system is swamped, mass volunteerism can’t fix it. But he said if that happens, he’ll pitch in to help and will urge others to do the same. But she said she is disappointed at the outliers who put others at risk.Īt Sunday’s service, Coates told the congregation that he, too, is concerned that the virus could overwhelm the health system. ![]() Deena Hinshaw, Alberta’s the chief medical officer of health, said the majority of businesses, community organizations and faith-based groups are following the rules. The move comes as provincial health officials continue to impose restrictions on all public activity to reduce the spread of the novel coronavirus, noting that new and more contagious strains have the potential to spread quickly and overwhelm the health system. This morning in Stony Plain provincial court he continued to refuse to agree with those conditions.” “He remained in custody overnight after refusing to agree to those conditions. “Following a bail hearing before a justice of the peace, Coates was to be released (Tuesday) on conditions,” said the RCMP news release. Police said they charged Coates again after last Sunday’s service and also charged him with violating his promise to abide by rules of his release, a Criminal Code offence. 7 with one count of violating the Public Health Act, and he was released. When the Sunday services continued, Coates was charged Feb. A closure order was issued in January, but it was ignored. The police fined the church $1,200 in December. “(Any) attempt to dictate to us the terms of worship is not the government’s jurisdiction, and I refuse to give the government what isn’t theirs. “We must call government to its God-ordained duty,” Coates told the congregation at last Sunday’s sermon, which was later archived to social media. He said when governments fail to follow God’s plan, churches have a duty to challenge and push them back onto the proper path. It’s the latest in an escalating confrontation with the church since renewed health restrictions were imposed by the province in December.Ĭoates has addressed the issue in his sermons, telling worshippers that governments exist only as instruments of God and must follow God’s plan, which includes unfettered freedom of worship. There can be choir singing and music, but performers must wear masks. ![]() Physical distancing between households must be maintained. Recent Sunday services have had up to 300 members, and Coates was charged a second time after police said last Sunday’s service again broke health rulesįaith-based services are limited to 15 per cent of normal capacity and mask use is mandatory. The church, located just west of Edmonton, has been defying health orders for weeks, holding services that officials say break health rules on maximum attendance, masking and distancing. “The pastor’s actions and the subsequent effects those actions could have on the health and safety of citizens dictated our response.” “We’ve been consistent in our approach of escalated levels of enforcement with Pastor Coates, and we were hopeful to resolve this issue in a different manner,” RCMP Insp. Pastor James Coates of GraceLife church was remanded in custody after refusing to abide by conditions of his release pending trial, police said. EDMONTON - An Alberta pastor was in custody Wednesday after being charged by police a second time with breaking public health rules tied to the COVID-19 pandemic. ![]()
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