Bonavista church under fire after open-air service criticized abortion, LGBT community

A video of an open-air church service in Bonavistahas drawn criticism on social media after the church's ministercriticized abortion and the LGBTcommunity.

The Grace Pentecostal Churchservice was held outsideand broadcastover loudspeakers on Aug. 1.

"Abortion is promoted in the majority of our society today. Young children, babies yes, they're human beings are being murdered and murdered by the millions. That's how sinful our society is," the ministeryelled into the microphone.

"All of a sudden we're at the same place where same-sex marriage is promoted and endorsed, and it's all good to be married to someone who's of the same gender. And yes there's only two. There's male and female and God created them to be married both male and female, not male to male andfemale to female,but all of a sudden there's apromotion of that today."

Bonavista Mayor John Normantold CBC Radio's St. John's Morning Showthe comments made by the ministerdon't necessarily line up with what he sees in his community and what he lives with.

"I'm probably the only openly bisexual mayor that I know of, at least in one of the larger communities in the province. Soof course people look at me when they hear this type of open public discussion and I'm sure they want a response," Norman said.

"Of course it causes me to reflect on things and have some concerns."

Norman said the situation with the Grace Pentecostal Church began as a simple noise complaint from community residents, which made its way into a town council meeting. Not long after, a conversation arose about the content of the Aug. 1 service, he said.

Norman said he wasn't surprised by what was said.

"As a mayor of a community with various churches, various denominations, I understand very clearly people's beliefsand religious freedoms and how they are protected in Canada," said Norman.

"It's troubling, personally, for me.But, as mayor, as amunicipal leader, really we could only simply consider the noise complaint because that would affect our municipal bylaw. Anything outside that purview is something altogether different and something that falls at a higher level than municipal government."

Norman said the town requested the volume of outdoor services fromGrace Pentecostal be lowered, and since the Aug. 1 service the church has complied, and the town felt the issue was resolved.

As for residents who may have been affected by what was said, Norman acknowledged religious rights and freedoms are protected in Canada but there's a wide and varying group of views in his community.

"I like to think that Bonavista is a very open and welcoming place," he said.

Norman is not seeking re-election as mayorbut is setting his sights on a councillor's seat. He saidthis recent incident, exhaustion, rumours and personal attacksareamong his reasons to step down, but he isn't ruling out running for mayor in the future.

CBC News has made repeated requests forcomment from both the Grace Pentecostal Church andthe Pentecostal Assemblies of Newfoundland and Labrador.

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