New Brunswick pastor apologizes after week in jail over COVID-19 rule breaches
A New Brunswick pastor is free after spending a week in jail and apologizing to the courts Friday for breaches of COVID-19 public health rules.
Philip James Hutchings, the pastor of His Tabernacle Family Church in Saint John, repeatedly apologized in the Court of Queen's Bench and agreed to sign an undertaking stating he understands the health rules and will comply.
Hutchings was found in contempt for not abiding by a consent order signed Oct. 8 requiring his congregants to follow health orders such as masking.
Lawyers for the province say Hutchings held a service two days later where people were seen leaving the church without masks, and health officials were barred from entering.
"My apologies your honour," Hutchings said in court Friday in a low voice while wearing a mask. "I intend to comply." Justice Hugh McLellan was quick to point out that Hutchings also said he would comply two weeks earlier but didn't.
The judge went on to detail how Hutchings and members of his congregation were seen leaving the church without masks, and enforcement officers were stopped by security guards and not allowed to enter the church. He noted that Hutchings then went on social media and mocked the provincial inspectors and boasted that he and congregants held a "packed service" at a new location.
"Do you see how that affects your credibility?" the judge asked. Hutchings asked for another chance, noting that every batter gets three strikes.
That prompted McLellan to start listing the pastor's actions in recent weeks, quipping "I'm losing track of how many strikes there are." He asked if Hutchings has considered that he may be misleading people -- to which Hutchings apologized again.
The judge said words were not enough and drafted an undertaking for Hutchings to sign to say he understands the provincial rules and will comply with them. New Brunswick public health rules require church congregants to wear masks. The law also requires that congregants either show proof of vaccination or keep socially distanced and that they not sing during services, which can be held at up to 50 per cent capacity.
The judge released a consent order declaring that Hutchings was in contempt of the Oct. 8 order and setting the punishment at seven days imprisonment, which has been served. The pastor had been detained since a court hearing last Friday.
McLellan also wants other officers of the church to be bound by the undertaking and has ordered Hutchings, his wife and two other officers to appear in his courtroom on Oct. 29 to sign a similar consent order.
Hutchings told the court his next few services will be conducted online.
The pastor did not speak with reporters as he left the courthouse or with supporters who waved signs that had images of masks and syringes and read "Be Brave! Do Not Comply with Discriminatory Orders and Mandates." One of the supporters, fellow pastor Ken Gilliard, said he doesn't believe there is a pandemic. "We are preaching freedom," he said.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 22, 2021.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
BREAKING Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are moving on to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.