Thomas also fined the church $35,000, Pastor Henry Hildebrand fined $10,000, and Pastor Peter Wall fined $3,000.

The church, Hildebrandt and Wall were scorned by the court in April for contempt for a court order to stop on-site services provided to meet COVID-19 restrictions. In the last few Sundays, there were as many as 200 meetings in the church, and no one was wearing a mask or following the rules of physical distancing.

The judge said that Hildebrandt had publicly published his sermon on YouTube and Facebook, which was a public contempt for him.

This position has always been a crucible of contemptuous activity. This place is a part of their lives, but these regulations were made to protect the community and save lives.-Ontario Supreme Court Justice Bruce Thomas, ruling on the Church of God

Thomas said Friday morning: “This place has always been a crucible of contempt activities.” “This place is part of their lives, but these regulations were made to protect the community and save lives.”

The Church of God is one of several churches in Canada that challenge the constitutionality of public health laws, which prohibit gatherings, including religious services. These will be heard in October.

But the judge said that despite provincial regulations and court orders, he couldn’t wait to punish the church and its pastors for holding church services “openly and blatantly.”

“Wake up call”

After the sentence, Hildebrandt posted a short video on social media saying: “Nothing can stop us.

He said from the podium: “Nothing can stop God’s people. Our government now allows unelected health officials to overthrow our judges and keep criminals away from law-abiding people.”

“I believe this will be our unprecedented wake-up call. This is not the end. This is the starting point for our progress.”

He added that he has “no malice” towards anyone.

Escalation of tensions

At the beginning of the pandemic last year, churches in southwestern Ontario held door-to-door services that are prohibited by provincial law, and then upgraded to a gathering of 200 people in the building this spring. Thomas said that Hildebrandt’s preaching has been more about encouraging civil disobedience than preaching about God.

Recently, the pastor has become one of the public faces of the anti-blockade movement, welcoming politicians and others who oppose masks and other public health measures to attend Sunday services. Sunday’s preaching split a small town in southwestern Ontario.

Thomas said: “There is no doubt that Henry Hildebrand, who is the pastor of the church, is the leader and unapologetic voice of this event.”

“Pastor Hildebrandt has spiritual control over his congregation and can stop the violation if he wants to.”

When Ontario’s assembly restrictions allow the church to hold 30% of its capacity, the church’s door will be unlocked.

Thomas said that the Church of God and the two pastors have 90 days of fines and approximately $69,000 in legal fees.

Before making his decision, the parishioners gathered in the church.

Aylmer’s police chief told CBC News that he had been in contact with church leaders and hoped that the door lock would proceed smoothly.

“We have some positive interactions with the church here [Friday] In the morning, we will seek to implement the judge’s orders in a manner that is as undisturbed as possible. ”