Photo: Art Lucier Facebook
Kelowna Harvest Fellowship church pastor Art Lucier says he will continue to protest what he believes is unfair treatment of churches during the pandemic.
The church was fined May 19 by the Kelowna RCMP for holding an indoor meeting in violation of public health orders. The penalty came just days before the government announced on Tuesday that it would lift restrictions on indoor religious gatherings.
“We made disciples. We did a class, ”said Lucier, referring to the May 19th sentence.
Three days later, the Harvest Fellowship held another Let Us Worship protest on Sunday in Kerry Park, Kelowna, which Lucier estimated nearly 100 people attended.
“We bring different speakers and we use our music as a form of protest. Isn’t it disgusting that the church has been allowed to meet with zero people for over six months despite having COVID plans, “he added.
Lucier thinks his church is indispensable.
“We help people with problems, addictions, fears, but it is against the law to hit. It is very difficult.”
The church has received several fines dating back to earlier this year. Lucier said on Facebook after receiving the May 19 fine that he has received six fines of $ 2,300 to date.
“We need advice and we don’t get it. The government gave us a cold shoulder.”
Lucier says 90 percent of his community think it is imperative to be together.
“There are certain things that you can’t understand on Zoom. It’s no different than telling people that you don’t have to go to a grocery store to get food, just watch the food channel. It’s no different with us. ”He added.
Harvest Fellowship was one of several BC churches that opposed the now-lifted ban on personal religious gatherings. Other churches spoke out in favor of the measure.
The provincial government says updated guidelines for returning indoor religious gatherings will be released “soon.”
