'God will shield us from all harm and sickness,' Reverend Tony Spell has said of COVID-19. 'We are not afraid'

A revered, yet controversial Louisiana pastor followed through on a ‘vow’ to continue holding public services and hosted an in-person Easter Sunday service, attended by almost 2,000 people.

According to TMZ , Reverend Tony Spell, 42, claimed that 1,345 people attended his Sunday service at the Life Tabernacle Church in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The service was also streamed live on Facebook, although assistant ministers and worshippers barred reporters from coming inside.

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“Satan and a virus will not stop us,” Spell previously told Reuters. “God will shield us from all harm and sickness. We are not afraid.”

The livestream, TMZ reported, included shots of the pastor preaching from the pulpit, whilst others standing at a distance surrounded him. Shots of the pews allegedly showed people sitting next to each other, without maintaining a two-metre distance.

Police have previously arrested Spell for flouting covid-19 rules and two weeks ago, issued him a misdemeanour summons for six counts after he continued to hold services despite the state governor issuing an order banning gatherings over 50 people on March 16.

Now, no more than 10 people are allowed to publicly gather in Louisiana. But police have not yet arrested Spell for orchestrating a large Easter Sunday service; rather, they told TMZ that they planned to monitor the event and present it as evidence to the District Attorney.

Timothy spell, Tony’s father told the Philadelphia Inquirer that Life Tabernacle was not breaking any laws and would continue to hold services at the church.

Residents who lived on the opposite side of the street said it was unfair of the church to take risks when others were attempting to stay safe. “Other congregations are using the internet, Skype, and other safe ways to congregate. Why can’t they? What makes them so special?” local Peter Quinn asked. “I wish state police would come out and do something. … If they get out of church and go to the grocery store, it’s a serious health hazard. They don’t know how many people they’re affecting, and they don’t seem to care. That’s a problem.”

More than 3,500 Louisiana residents have been diagnosed with the coronavirus, according to government statistics, and 150 people have died.

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