![]() “The condition that Pastor Coates effectively stop doing his job as a pastor by adhering to unscientific and unconstitutional public health restrictions should never have been imposed on him by the RCMP, or by the court,” Justice Centre president John Carpay said in a news release Wednesday. The judge ruled that Coates remain behind bars until his trial in May. In early March, his lawyers appealed with the argument that it would go against the pastor’s conscience before God not to lead worshippers.Ī public health prosecutor argued that the pastor’s release would be a danger to the public. And now that charge has been withdrawn and we think that’s correct,” Cameron said.Īfter he was charged, Coates was jailed when he continued to hold services in defiance of a bail order not to do so. “Instead he was released on not a valid undertaking because he never gave one. 7 and imposed a condition on the pastor that he only hold church services that followed public-health orders.Ĭoates refused to follow the condition, said Cameron, who added the RCMP should have taken the pastor before a justice of the peace but instead left the church. Jay Cameron, a lawyer with the Justice Center, said two RCMP officers met with Coates after a service Feb. In an email, Alberta Crown Prosecution Service said it was not appropriate for prosecutors to comment on an ongoing case.Ĭoates, who preaches at GraceLife Church west of Edmonton, has been in jail for a month for allegedly holding services that violated public health rules on the size of gatherings. (The pressure to ease restrictions is increasing.A group that supports an Alberta pastor jailed after being charged with violating COVID-19 public-health orders says it expects him to be released in the coming days.Ĭrown prosecutors have dropped all but one charge against James Coates and have agreed to his release without bail conditions, the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms said Wednesday ![]() Are you a leader or not? Right now you look like any other everyday average coward. Jason Kenney, its time to put your big boy pants on and man up. So now, after lifting restrictions our government seems to have zero tolerance for what we once saw as common sense: ease restrictions and we will see slight increases. And like last spring when lockdowns and restrictions were slowly being lifted we were warned of and saw slight increases in all COVID numbers. So after moving to Stage 2 when we should have already been at Stage 3, regardless, it was a move forward. They were a few weeks late considering moving to Stage 3 according to the guidelines they created. (The next federal election will be Erin O’Toole’s true test.) AVERAGE COWARD With her at the helm it would eliminate all the well-worn arguments. The party shot them selves in the foot by not electing Leslyn Lewis. The rallying cry is always that the Conservatives will outlaw abortion and roll back any progress made on a variety of other social issues. Knowing they can’t argue straight up on policy differences, the Liberals will trot out the old standards always used. While the last thing I want is another Liberal government, there are some things that are constantly used to tar Conservatives. (It’s hard to imagine a time when this won’t even be an issue.) UNINSPIRED LEADERSHIP This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Coates’ only concern is doing what is right for his weekly collection plate. Contrast those words and actions to that of Pastor James Coates of (dis)GraceLife Church who refuses to follow public health restrictions and believes he “is doing what is right for his congregation.” I believe Mr. They, along with many other church leaders, have been innovative and creative by offering online and even drive-in services during the pandemic. Kudos to Rabbi Steven Schwarzman with Edmonton Beth Shalom Synagogue and Pastor Ryan Pedde of Bridge Church in Fort Saskatchewan who were both recently highlighted in your paper. Until then, keep wearing a mask and practise physical distancing.) PROTECTING THE FLOCK (We’re all ready for this pandemic to be over. ![]() The next issue of Edmonton Sun Headline News will soon be in your inbox. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. Manage Print Subscription / Tax ReceiptĪ welcome email is on its way. ![]()
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