17 February 2021
“But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman’s hand.” [Ezekiel 33:6]
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” [Ephesians 6:12]
Presbyterians Week Headlines
[1] Presbyterian Church of Australia Set to Defy Gay Conversion Bill
[2] Canadian Province Bans Church Gatherings ‘Indefinitely’
[4] Injunction Sought against Fraser Valley Churches Defying B.C. Health Orders
[5] Bid for Injunction against British Colombia Churches Breaking COVID-19 Rules Dismissed
[6] Hundreds of Churches Threatened by France’s Plan to End Muslim Separatism
[8] Tillsonburg, Ontario Pastor Charged for Failing to Comply with COVID Restrictions
[9] Scottish Ministers to Scottish Ministers to Face Judicial Review over Lockdown Church Closures
[10] Scottish Ministers to Face Judicial Review over Church Closures
[11] British Colombia Government Seeking Court Order So Police Can Detain Church-Goers
—
[1] Presbyterian Church of Australia Set to Defy Gay Conversion Bill
In response to Daniel Andrews ‘Change or Suppression Practices Bill’, the Presbyterian Church of Australia stands poised to defy the recent legislation. As has previously been reported, there are a plethora of problems with the bill—which has significant legal repercussions for people also outside of the state—and was recently passed by the Victorian Upper House without amendment, with a cross party group of politicians also vowing to push a similar proposal in the NSW Parliament. According to the Star Observer:
https://caldronpool.com/breaking-presbyterian-church-of-australia-set-to-defy-gay-conversion-bill/
+ Presbyterian Church of Australia, 168 Chalmers Street, Surry Hills, New South Wales, 2010, Australia, 02-9690-9333, Fax: 02-9310-2148, Contact Page
[2] Canadian Province Bans Church Gatherings ‘Indefinitely’
The province of British Columbia has announced that they are extending their pandemic restrictions “indefinitely,” with all churches prohibited from gathering for services under threats of crushing fines and jail time.
The province, which has a population of 5.1 million people and has had 1259 COVID-19 related deaths, all but sixty-five that occurred in nursing homes, made the announcement on Friday, after passing a midnight deadline.
“Right now, we need to stay the path,” said Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry, the woman in charge who is controlling policy. “We need to protect the progress we have made and not squander our progress.”
https://protestia.com/2021/02/09/canadian-province-bans-church-gatherings-indefinitely/
+ Protestia, c/o Fellowship Baptist Church, 2181 West Holly Street, Sidney, Montana 59270, 406-433-4004, info@fbcsidney.org
Province Claims Restrictions on In-Person Religious Services Are Justified To Battle Pandemic
B.C.’s provincial health officer is seeking an injunction prohibiting gatherings by three Christian churches that are challenging her orders suspending in-person religious services.
Lawyers for Dr. Bonnie Henry and B.C.’s attorney general will be in B.C. Supreme Court on Friday seeking orders against the leaders of Langley’s Riverside Calvary Chapel, Abbotsford’s Immanuel Covenant Reformed Church and the Free Reformed Church of Chilliwack.
The province filed an application for the injunction last week along with a response to a petition by the churches and a handful of others who want to overturn Henry’s orders.
+ Canadian Broadcasting Centre, Post Office Box 500, Station A, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5W 1E6, 514-597-6000, Contact Page
[4] Injunction Sought against Fraser Valley Churches Defying B.C. Health Orders
The B.C. government and Dr. Bonnie Henry are seeking a court injunction this Friday against three Fraser Valley churches that have denied public health orders to cease holding in-person services.
Langley’s Riverside Calvary Chapel, along with Immanuel Covenant Reformed Church in Abbotsford and the Free Reformed Church of Chilliwack took the government to court in January.
They have petitioned a judge to lift orders that banned or restricted public gatherings, “as they unjustifiably infringe the rights and freedoms of the petitioners [the churches] guaranteed by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms,” according to the claim filed by lawyers for the churches.
+ Coast Mountain News, 1060 Highway 20, Bella Coola, British Columbia,V0T 1C0, 250-799-5699, Contact Page
[5] Bid for Injunction against British Colombia Churches Breaking COVID-19 Rules Dismissed
A judge has dismissed the British Columbia government’s application for an injunction against three Fraser Valley churches that are breaking COVID-19 rules that prohibit in-person services, though he agreed the public will likely face what may be greater exposure to the virus.
The injunction request by B.C.’s attorney general and provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry came after the churches and others filed a petition challenging the rules, arguing they violate their charter rights and freedoms.
B.C. Supreme Court Chief Justice Christopher Hinkson said in a written ruling released Wednesday that the provincial health officer has means under the Public Health Act to enforce the rules without an injunction.
+ Canadian Broadcasting Centre, Post Office Box 500, Station A, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5W 1E6, 514-597-6000, Contact Page
[6] Hundreds of Churches Threatened by France’s Plan to End Muslim Separatism
Frustrated by years of terrorism inflicted by radical Islamists, France’s parliament is debating a law to end Muslim separatism.
French evangelicals fear their churches will become collateral damage.
“This is the first time, as president of the Protestant Federation of France, that I find myself in the position of defending freedom of worship,” said François Clavairoly.
“I never imagined that in my own country something like this could happen.”
Officially named “the Law to Uphold Republican Principles,” the 459-page bill has been the subject of fierce debate this month, receiving over 1,700 proposed amendments.
+ Christianity Today International, 465 Gundersen Drive, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188, 630-260-6200, Fax: 630-260-0114, mwhite@christianitytoday.com
By JEFF MAPLES, Reformation Charlotte
In a drastic move, the Australian province of Victoria has now criminalized prayer that seeks to change one’s sexual orientation. Under the new draconian “conversion therapy” legislation passed by Congress on February 4, called the Change or Suppression (Conversion) Practices Prohibition Act 2021, under the definition of change or suppression practice, includes “carrying out a religious practice, including but not limited to, a prayer based practice, a deliverance practice or an exorcism.”
The offense includes prayer either remotely on line or in-person and includes with it a long list of other forbiden practices including “psychiatry or psychotherapy consultation, treatment or therapy, or any other similar consultation, treatment or therapy.”
The offense is punishable by imprisonment for up to ten years if, by its own definition, causes “serious injury.” Though, “serious injury” is not clearly defined, the legislation states that it has the same meaning as found in the Crimes Act of 1958, which generalizes the meaning as “endangers life.”
+ Reformation Charlotte, info@reformationcharlotte.org
[8] Tillsonburg, Ontario Pastor Charged for Failing to Comply with COVID Restrictions
Faith Presbyterian Church’s pastor Steve Richardson decided it was time to make a stand in Tillsonburg.
When the Ontario government announced its province-wide shutdown measures, which went into effect Dec. 26 to minimize transmission of the COVID-19 virus, it included restrictions on organized public indoor events. For church services, the mandatory capacity was 10 people or less, including parishioners, officiants, and staff.
+ Tillsonburg News, 365 Bloor Street East, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M4W 3L4, bwinter@postmedia.com
[9] Scottish Ministers to Scottish Ministers to Face Judicial Review over Lockdown Church Closures
The Scottish ministers’ policy banning gathered church worship is set to face a full judicial review following a challenge from 27 Scottish church leaders.
The leaders, who come from a range of Christian denominations, including the Free Church of Scotland (Continuing), the Church of Scotland, the Free Church of Scotland, and a number of independent churches, launched the action stating that the closures are unlawful as they breach Human Rights law and the Scottish constitution. The case is supported by the Christian Legal Centre.
The legal claim was lodged on the 28 January 2021, and the case was marked as ‘urgent’ by a judge. The Scottish Ministers were given seven days to respond to or challenge the claim, which they declined to do.
Lord Braid has now granted full permission for a substantive hearing, which will take place remotely on the 11 and 12 March 2021. This could result in the courts ordering the Scottish Ministers to allow churches to reopen.
Church leaders have described the legal case as a ‘crucial moment for the freedom of the church in Scotland’ and stated that the continued ‘criminalisation of public worship is damaging and dangerous’ for the country.
Disproportionate step
Restrictions outlined by First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, on Friday 8 January 2021, made it a criminal offence in the highest tiers for churches to hold services in-person and, for example, to conduct baptisms.
In response, the church leaders sent a pre-action letter to the Scottish Ministers on 15 January, urging them to re-open churches.
They emphasised that the regulations prohibit them from supporting the material, emotional and spiritual needs in their congregations and communities.
In the claim the church leaders outlined that they fully understand the seriousness of the COVID-19 pandemic and the difficult decisions the Scottish Government has had to take.
However, the leaders stated that they believe the Scottish Ministers’ have “failed to appreciate that the closure of places of worship is a disproportionate step, and one which has serious implications for freedom of religion.”
The Scottish Ministers’ responded by rejecting the claim and declaring that the state can ‘regulate the secular activities of Churches…for the purposes of protecting public health’ and that churches are compelled to ‘comply with secular law’ and therefore must remain closed.
This statement conflicts directly with the long-established and traditional authority Scottish churches have had over their own affairs, free from state interference. This is enshrined in the 1592 Act, the 1706 Act for Securing Protestant Religion and the Church of Scotland Act 1921.
There has been no attempt to close churches in Scotland since the persecution of the Presbyterian church, instituted by the Stuart kings, in the 17th century.
Left with no alternative but to pursue a judicial review, lawyers representing the church leaders lodged the legal claim for judicial review on 28 January 2021 arguing that the regulations are in violation of the European Convention on Human Rights (Articles 9 and 11) and the Scottish Constitution.
As part of the legal case, the church leaders will seek a ‘declarator’ that the closure of churches in Scotland are unlawful, that church closure regulations must be reversed, and that a person may lawfully leave their home to attend a place of worship without fear of prosecution.
In the claim, the church leaders: ‘hold that public corporate worship, involving the physical gathering together of Christians… are fundamental and indispensable aspects of their religion’, and argue that ‘in the absence of the gathered people of God, there is effectively no “church.”’
Closures ‘illogical’ says microbiologist
Scottish Ministers’ insist they are relying on ‘science’ to justify a number of lockdown measures, including church closures. However, an expert report, provided as part of the case by microbiologist, Dr Ian Blenkharn, describes the strategy as ‘illogical’ on a number of levels.
Dr Blenkharn says, for example, that it is: “illogical to propose that church premises can be used for blood donor sessions, food banks and other social support activities, and if required for Covid-19 testing and vaccination activities”, but not for public worship.
At present, a church building in Scotland could be used as a vaccination centre, but should the same people recite the Lord’s Prayer together, they could be prosecuted.
Dr Blenkharn’s report concludes that he can find: “No barriers to the safe opening of churches for worship. Indeed, there is an overwhelming and unavoidable comparator that church services present no additional risk of COVID-19 coronavirus infection than would the many different commercial activities in the manufacturing, supply and retail sectors etc that are now permitted to operate.”
‘Constitutional issues’
The decision to close churches in Scotland is out of step, not only with the decision of the English and Welsh government’s decision to allow churches to remain open under the current lockdown, but also internationally.
In November 2020, Chancellor Angela Merkel refused to close churches in Germany due to ‘constitutional issues’.
Earlier this year a French high court branded government church closures as unlawful and overturned the ban, and the Supreme Court of the United States recently allowed churches to remain open in New York state.
‘A crucial moment’
Rev. Dr William Philip, leader of The Tron Church in Glasgow, said: “Criminalising corporate worship is both damaging and dangerous for Scotland, and we are pleased that this case will be heard in March 2021.
“We must care for people as whole human beings, and Covid 19 is not the only threat to health and wellbeing.
“Our congregation of 500 in the heart of Glasgow is diverse in age and background, including some of the most vulnerable in the city. I have witnessed first-hand huge suffering through lockdown, not least a huge increase in loneliness, misery and untold damage to mental health. The worst deprivations from this ban are inflicted on the poorest, the neediest, the most vulnerable – now excluded from the comfort and encouragement in life and death only Christian worship can give.
“At a time when we have been forcefully confronted with the fragility of mortal life, we have allowed the message of the eternal to be eclipsed entirely by the earthly in the national consciousness. There is an urgent need for a message of hope and salvation. This is the calling of the Christian Church – especially in dark and difficult days: Jesus Christ is the only hope that dispels all fear, death included.”
Rev. Geoffrey de Bruin, leader at Christian Revival Church Edinburgh, said: “This is now a crucial moment for the freedom of the church in Scotland.
“The closure of churches is a breach of the historic principle of the separation of church and state which is enshrined in the Scottish constitution.
“The state may see church ministry as parallel to other public gatherings such as cinemas and restaurants, but believers see church ministry as far more important.
“For Christians, spiritual health is more important than physical health.
“Churches serve as lifelines of support to the most vulnerable during the toughest times and we pray that these important principles and beliefs will be recognised and upheld by the courts in March.”
+ Christian Concern, 70 Wimpole Street, London W1G 8AX, England, 020 7935 1488, Contact Page
+ Free Church of Scotland (Continuing), Rev. John MacLeod, Free Church Manse, Portmahomack, Ross-shire, Scotland, principalclerk@fccontinuing.org
+ Free Church of Scotland, 15 North Bank Street, The Mound, Edinburgh, Scotland EH1 2LS, 0131-226-5286, Fax: 0131-220-0597, catherine@freechurchofscotland.org.uk
+ Church of Scotland, 121 George Street, Edinburgh EH2 4YN, Scotland, 0131-225-5722
[10] Scottish Ministers to Face Judicial Review over Church Closures
The Scottish government’s policy banning gathered church worship is set to face a full judicial review following a legal challenge from twenty-seven Scottish church leaders.
Supported by the Christian Legal Centre, the leaders, who come from a range of Christian denominations, including the Church of Scotland, the Free Church of Scotland, the Free Church of Scotland (Continuing), and a number of independent churches, launched the action stating that the closures are unlawful as they breach Human Rights law and the Scottish constitution.
Urgent consideration
The legal claim was lodged on 28 January 2021 and was deemed suitable for urgent consideration by a judge. The Scottish Ministers were given seven days to challenge whether permission should be given for the claim to proceed, which they declined to do. It allowed the Scottish Ministers, the Lord Advocate and the Advocate General a chance to decide whether they wanted to participate in the decision of the court as to whether permission be granted for the Judicial Review to proceed.
Lord Braid has now granted full permission for a substantive hearing, which will take place remotely on the 11 and 12 March 2021. This could result in the courts ordering the Scottish Ministers to allow churches to reopen.
Church leaders have described the legal case as a “crucial moment for the freedom of the church in Scotland” and stated that the continued “criminalisation of public worship is damaging and dangerous” for the country.
Disproportionate step
Restrictions outlined by First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, on Friday 8 January 2021, made it a criminal offence in the highest tiers for churches to hold services in-person and, for example, to conduct baptisms.
In response, the church leaders sent a pre-action letter to the Scottish Ministers on 15 January, urging them to re-open churches. They emphasised that the regulations prohibit them from supporting the material, emotional and spiritual needs in their congregations and communities.
In the claim, the church leaders outlined that they fully understand the seriousness of the Covid pandemic and the difficult decisions the Scottish Government has had to take. However, the leaders stated that they believe the Scottish Ministers’ have “failed to appreciate that the closure of places of worship is a disproportionate step, and one which has serious implications for freedom of religion.”
The Scottish Ministers responded by rejecting the claim and declaring that the state should be allowed to “regulate the secular activities of Churches … for the purposes of protecting public health” and that churches are compelled to “comply with secular law” and therefore must remain closed.
This statement conflicts directly with the long-established and traditional authority Scottish churches have had over their own affairs, free from state interference. This is enshrined in the 1592 Act, the 1706 Act for Securing Protestant Religion and the Church of Scotland Act 1921.
There has been no attempt to close churches in Scotland since the persecution of the Presbyterian church, instituted by the Stuart kings, in the 17th century.
Left with no alternative but to pursue a judicial review, lawyers representing the church leaders lodged the legal claim for judicial review on 28 January 2021 arguing that the regulations are in violation of the European Convention on Human Rights (Articles 9 and 11) and the Scottish Constitution.
As part of the legal case, the church leaders will seek a ‘declarator’ that the closure of churches in Scotland is unlawful, that church closure regulations must be reversed, and that a person may lawfully leave their home to attend a place of worship without fear of prosecution.
In the claim, the church leaders, “hold that public corporate worship, involving the physical gathering together of Christians … are fundamental and indispensable aspects of their religion,” and argue that “in the absence of the gathered people of God, there is effectively no ‘church’.”
Closures ‘illogical’ says microbiologist
Scottish Ministers’ insist they are relying on ‘science’ to justify a number of lockdown measures, including church closures. However, an expert report, provided as part of the case by microbiologist, Dr Ian Blenkharn, describes the strategy as ‘illogical’ on a number of levels.
Dr Blenkharn says, for example, that it is: “illogical to propose that church premises can be used for blood donor sessions, food banks and other social support activities, and if required for Covid-19 testing and vaccination activities,” but not for public worship.
At present, a church building in Scotland could be used as a vaccination centre, but should the same people recite the Lord’s Prayer together, they could be prosecuted.
Dr Blenkharn’s report concludes that he can find “no barriers to the safe opening of churches for worship. Indeed, there is an overwhelming and unavoidable comparator that church services present no additional risk of COVID-19 coronavirus infection than would the many different commercial activities in the manufacturing, supply and retail sectors etc that are now permitted to operate.”
‘Constitutional issues’
The decision to close churches in Scotland is out of step, not only with the decision of the English and Welsh government’s decision to allow churches to remain open under the current lockdown, but also internationally.
In November 2020, Chancellor Angela Merkel refused to close churches in Germany due to ‘constitutional issues’.
Earlier this year a French high court branded government church closures as unlawful and overturned the ban, and the Supreme Court of the United States recently allowed churches to remain open in New York state.
‘A crucial moment’
Rev. Dr William Philip, leader of The Tron Church in Glasgow, said: “Criminalising corporate worship is both damaging and dangerous for Scotland, and we are pleased that this case will be heard in March 2021.
“We must care for people as whole human beings, and Covid 19 is not the only threat to health and wellbeing.
“Our congregation of 500 in the heart of Glasgow is diverse in age and background, including some of the most vulnerable in the city. I have witnessed first-hand huge suffering through lockdown, not least a huge increase in loneliness, misery and untold damage to mental health. The worst deprivations from this ban are inflicted on the poorest, the neediest, the most vulnerable – now excluded from the comfort and encouragement in life and death only Christian worship can give.
“At a time when we have been forcefully confronted with the fragility of mortal life, we have allowed the message of the eternal to be eclipsed entirely by the earthly in the national consciousness. There is an urgent need for a message of hope and salvation. This is the calling of the Christian Church – especially in dark and difficult days: Jesus Christ is the only hope that dispels all fear, death included.”
Rev. Geoffrey de Bruin, leader at Christian Revival Church Edinburgh, said: “This is now a crucial moment for the freedom of the church in Scotland.
“The closure of churches is a breach of the historic principle of the independence of the church from the state which is enshrined in the Scottish constitution.
“The state may see church ministry as parallel to other public gatherings such as cinemas and restaurants, but believers see church ministry as far more important.
“For Christians, spiritual health is more important than physical health.
“Churches serve as lifelines of support to the most vulnerable during the toughest times and we pray that these important principles and beliefs will be recognised and upheld by the courts in March.”
Find out more about Church lockdown
+ Christian Concern, 70 Wimpole Street, London W1G 8AX, England, 020 7935 1488, Contact Page
[11] British Colombia Government Seeking Court Order So Police Can Detain Church-Goers
At least three Fraser Valley churches are expected to open their doors to parishioners on Sunday, as they have every week since in-person worship was banned under temporary COVID-19 restrictions announced in November.
Abbotsford’s Immanuel Covenant, the Free Reformed Church of Chilliwack and Langley’s Riverside Calvary Chapel have taken the province to court, saying the public health orders violate constitutional rights.
“If there ever was a need for churches, really it’s now. It’s during this very difficult time,” said lawyer Paul Joffe, who represents the churches.
The case is scheduled to be heard over two days at the start of March.
In the meantime, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry is seeking an injunction that would not only order an end to in-person religious gatherings, but would also give police the power to detain anyone suspected of intending to attend one.
https://bc.ctvnews.ca/b-c-government-seeking-court-order-so-police-can-detain-church-goers-1.5306837
+ Bell Media, 299 Queen Street West, Toronto, Ontario M5V 2Z5, Canada, Contact Page
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