Fairview Baptist Church fined again for alleged COVID-19 violations

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A defiant Fairview Baptist Church has been charged a second time for allegedly violating COVID-19 restrictions.

On Thursday, city officials said they’ve issued two tickets under the Public Health Act for alleged breaches of distancing and capacity regulations meant to slow the spread of the virus.

“Community peace officers will continue to work alongside AHS (Alberta Health Services) and CPS (Calgary Police Service) to investigate complaints surrounding this location,” said a statement issued by the city.

Church Pastor Tim Stephens said after holding services at an undisclosed location for a month in January and February, the congregation decided to return to the normal southeast Calgary location to resume celebrating their faith, which they have the past several Sundays.

During some of those services, city police and other enforcement officials have been conspicuously present at the church.

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In January, Stephens was issued a $1,200 fine and a court summons that could lead to a penalty of up to $100,000.

He said the church is aware of enforcement risks and a restriction limiting church capacity to 15 per cent of its fire code occupancy but is obligated to follow its own path.

On Thursday, Stephens said his tickets wouldn’t dissuade the church members from congregating.

“We will continue to gather according to the pattern set forth in scripture. Our conscience is held captive by the word of God,” he said.

“We leave masking up to attendees and their own conscience before the Lord.”

He said last Thursday that the church will continue to hold services “indefinitely” and he doesn’t believe they’re being specifically persecuted.

“I do not believe either the government or law enforcement are targeting churches or people of faith,” said Stephens.

“The reason we are meeting is out of obedience to Christ and how he calls us to worship. It is that obedience to Christ that has brought this enforcement.”

A small number of church members have chosen to view services virtually, said Stephens.

The Calgary church has also been acting in support of Edmonton-area GraceLife Church, whose pastor James Coates has been in custody for three weeks for refusing to abide by bail conditions that include observing COVID-19 regulations.

His church has continued to hold services in his absence, a commitment Stephens said follows a divine obligation he shares.

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“Both James and I take that reality with the utmost seriousness. The heavenly court is of far greater concern than any earthly court,” he said.

GraceLife Church and Coates have been charged under the Public Health Act. Their next court date is May 5.

Area city Coun. Gian-Carlo Carra said he’s continued to receive complaints about Fairview Baptist’s gatherings from neighbours of the church and said the services are being held counter to a spirit of Christian solidarity in a difficult time.

The two newest charges against the Fairview Baptist Church bring to 198 the number of alleged Public Heath Act violations cited by the city since Nov. 24.

Tickets for face mask violations since Aug. 1, 2020, number at least 277, with 19 tickets being issued in the past week, all for failure to wear the coverings on Calgary Transit property.

In the week previous, 36 tickets were handed out for failure to wear a protective mask, most of them issued in a crackdown against violators at transit stations or on transit vehicles.

BKaufmann@postmedia.com

Twitter: @BillKaufmannjrn