“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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