Open your churches! Take a stand for the Lord Jesus Christ and take a stand for the people! Love them, open the doors, that’s what we need to do right now." "People keep asking us what can you do for us? Open your churches. Please READ LifeSiteNews' article about Premier Kenney's intervention, here: Īnd second, Pastor Coates' wife addressed a crowd of supporters at the jail in which her husband is being held, saying in part: There have been two important, recent updates to the ongoing imprisonment of Pastor James Coates in Alberta, Canada.įirst, Alberta's Premier, Jason Kenney has spoken out about Pastor Coates' incarceration. Until the trial finishes, please continue to SIGN and SHARE this petition in solidarity with Pastor Coates. We will also keep fighting to ensure that Canadian people of faith like him are never persecuted for exercising their right to worship freely. But, this is a gigantic step in the right direction.ĭuring his trial, we will keep you updated as to his status and we will continue to support Pastor Coates. Of course, with a trial still pending, he's not out of the woods, yet. Thank you for taking part in this campaign advocating for Pastor Coates' release! While Pastor Coates will still have to stand trial for the one remaining charge in May, he will at least be free to prepare for the hearings, and to celebrate Easter with his family and congregation. The Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms, the legal counsel which has been representing Pastor Coates, just issued a statement saying that Alberta's Crown Prosecutors have decided to drop all but one charge against Pastor Coates, paving the way for him to be released soon. Please READ LifeSiteNews' latest article on this latest and unexpected turn of events for Pastor Coates. Pawlowski demanded that the police leave the church premises immediately, calling them “Nazis” and the “Gestapo.The Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms, the legal counsel which has been representing Pastor Coates, just issued a statement saying that Alberta's Crown Prosecutors have decided to drop all but one charge against Pastor Coates, paving the way for him to be released in the coming days. Similarly, Artur Pawlowski, pastor of Cave of Adullam and founder of Street Church Ministries, was accosted by police in April when they attempted to shut his church down without a warrant. The court is aware that I’m contesting the legitimacy of that law but please, make no mistake … I’m not trying to make a point. Before his arrest, Coates’s GraceLife Church was surrounded by security cars and police put up wire fencing around the building to prevent entry.Ĭoates said to the judge, “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. Another pastor in Alberta, James Coates, spent a month in jail and was issued a $1,500 fine in March after breaching bail by refusing to comply with the Canada’s COVID laws. Pastor Stephens’ arrest is not an anomaly. Raquel Stephens organized a peaceful rally for her husband and for religious liberty in Canada on Saturday. He will be represented by the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms, which is advocating for his immediate release. His next court appearance is scheduled for June 28. Stephens currently remains in custody after denying a Justice of the Peace’s bail condition, which was agreeing to cease holding worship services. Last month, they failed to provide a court order he was accused of violating. This is the second time Alberta Health Services has served Stephens a charge. Dining in a restaurant, attending church services, and having indoor gatherings remain prohibited in Alberta. As of June 10, Alberta entered their “stage two” of reopening with most buildings capped at 33 percent occupancy. Stephens’ purported crimes are violations of Alberta’s still-enforced COVID restrictions.
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