On The 3 this week, there are new developments out of Canada involving a pastor who had been visited by law enforcement around Easter regarding alleged violations of COVID regulations - he has now been arrested. And, under new guidelines from the government, there may be attempts to force health professionals to perform surgeries designed to alter someone's gender. Also, there are Christian leaders who are speaking out regarding a tense situation in Israel.
Another Canadian pastor arrested for alleged COVID violations
In the Canadian province of Alberta, another pastor has been arrested due to his church's decision to gather in worship in violation of COVID-19 restrictions. The Christian Post reports that:
Canadian Pastor Artur Pawlowski, who kicked police out of his church after they tried to shut down a worship service during Holy Week, and his brother, Dawid Pawlowski, have been arrested for holding an “illegal” in-person gathering as per COVID-19 limits set by a new court order.
The story refers to a YouTube video that shows five police vehicles were sent in order to arrest the brothers, who were confronted by the road after the church service. The Calgary Police Force said that the Pawlowskis “have both been arrested and charged with organizing an illegal in-person gathering, including requesting, inciting or inviting others to attend an illegal public gathering, promoting and attending an illegal public gathering..."
Meanwhile, the trial of Edmonton, Alberta pastor James Coates occurred earlier this month. According to the Justice Center for Constitutional Freedoms, the trial has been adjourned until June 7. The judge will announce if the pastor's constitutional rights were violated. Also, as the website points out, the provincial government will be "forced to produce their evidence for lockdowns."
Also, just this past weekend, another Canadian pastor was arrested due to his violation of public health restrictions due to COVID. CBC.ca reports that Tim Stephens, a pastor in Calgary, "was arrested for organizing a church service on Sunday at Fairview Baptist Church in southeast Calgary, in violation of a Court of Queen's Bench Order that requires organizers of events to comply with public health restrictions." The article reports:
Churches are currently limited to a maximum occupancy of 15 people, in order to slow the spread of COVID-19 in Alberta. The province has the highest active case rate in the country, with more than 22,000 active cases.
Stephens had written in a blog post, according to the article: "Restricting the church to 15 people — which essentially restricts the church from gathering — is against the will of Christ and against the conscience of many who desire to worship the Lord of glory according to his word..."
U.S. government department announces changes that could result in attempt to force medical pros to participate in gender change surgeries
Health professionals who wish to object to being involved in surgeries to help someone "change" their gender could face a backlash under new regulations from the Department of Health and Human Services, according to the Family Research Council, which reported on its website this past Monday:
HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra announced today an "update" regarding the enforcement and interpretation of Obamacare Section 1557, indicating that it will now interpret discrimination "on the basis of sex" to include "sexual orientation" and "gender identity."FRC President Tony Perkins said, "Sex is not subjective; it is an objective biological reality. Now, the Biden administration wants to punish medical professionals for recognizing this fact. Gender transition procedures are not fully embraced within the medical community because of their severe, negative, psychological, and physical impacts."
When asked whether he would uphold a law banning partial-birth abortions during the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Health Subcommittee hearing, Becerra denied there was a law against it.
“There is no law that deals specifically with the term partial-birth abortions,” Becerra told Republican Rep. Gus Bilirakis.
The article states:
Despite Becerra’s assertion, there are laws that define partial-birth abortions. Not only does the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act of 2003 characterize it, but the U.S. Supreme Court affirmed the law and its definition in Gonzales v. Carhart.In his confirmation hearings, Sen. Mitt Romney asked Becerra why he voted against "a ban on partial-birth abortion." Becerra, a former U.S. House member, stated, "I understand that people have different deeply held beliefs on this issue. … We may not always agree on where to go, but I think we can find some common ground..."
Christian leaders call for prayer amidst unrest in Middle East
Israel is continuing to defend itself against unprovoked attacks from Hamas in the Gaza Strip, with missiles being fired by the Gaza Strip and other areas and violence occurring on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. And, Christian leaders are speaking out and calling for peace, according to ChristianHeadlines.com.
Franklin Graham posted on Facebook, according to the article: "I have many friends who live in Israel, both Arab and Jew, so we are very concerned about the situation there. People have been killed, families are cowering in fear in bomb shelters, and they need our prayers. As we are commanded in the Scriptures, let us "pray for the peace of Jerusalem" (Psalm 122:6)."Tony Evans tweeted, "My heart goes out to the people impacted through the heightened Middle East conflict. Having recently visited that region, I'm reminded of the many wonderful people I met, and request us all to pray for those who are suffering."
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