Nearly two years after a Creston pastor was ticketed for hosting a small church gathering — supposedly violating previously enforced provincial health orders — the charge was axed..The Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms (JCCF) said Wednesday the Crown’s “unjustified” charge against Pastor David Ripley of Grace Christian Fellowship was dropped following more than 12 preliminary court appearances by JCCF lawyers on behalf of Ripley..Orders set forth in late 2020 by Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry prohibited in-person worship service, and after reading the then latest order, JCCF says Ripley “found a particular clause allowing people to attend houses of worship for prayer and reflection.”.Ripley then called public authorities, such as the mayor, fire chief, and local RCMP, all of whom confirmed his assumption that he was allowed to open his church for prayer and reflection..“So Pastor Ripley opened up the church on Sunday mornings, roped off pews to ensure physical distancing and complied with the public health guidance. There was no singing, no preaching. The people who came prayed and read scriptures,” said JCCF..On the early January 2021 Sunday in question, two RCMP cruisers pulled up on the property in response to “a small number” of individuals attending the church..“The pastor’s wife Gina showed them the order permitting attendance at houses of worship for prayer and reflection. The officers took issue with the number of cars in the parking lot, but otherwise did not challenge the language of the order or the actions of the church,” said the JCCF..Later that day, however, police rolled up to Ripley’s home, issuing him a $2,300 ticket for supposedly violated Henry’s order..Whether or not Ripley violated the order was to be determined in the first phase of the trial, set to run next week. However the Crown directed a stay of proceedings on the charges against the pastor..“The unjustified intrusions of government into the homes and churches of Canadians in the name of COVID enforcement is a stain on Canada’s free and democratic society,” said JCCF lawyer Marty Moore..“Pastor Ripley was attempting to follow public health orders and serve the needs of his congregation. There was no justification for forcing him through nearly two years of court appearances and legal processes. He is relieved to have this behind him.”
