Pentecostal churches in Atlantic Canada face scrutiny as vaccination efforts intensify amid outbreaks linked to congregations

Pentecostal churches in Atlantic Canada have come under increased scrutiny as public health officials in Newfoundland and Labrador and New Brunswick intensify efforts to vaccinate unvaccinated individuals. Recent outbreaks linked to these congregations have raised questions about the role of religious leaders in shaping attitudes toward vaccination. While some ministers have expressed concerns about government mandates, religious scholars note that opposition to vaccination is not widespread within the denomination.

Pentecostalism, characterized by its energetic worship style and emphasis on spiritual gifts such as speaking in tongues, has a presence in Atlantic Canada despite its relatively small numbers. The First United Pentecostal Church in Bishop’s Falls, N.L., became the focus of a significant outbreak this month, resulting in 56 infections and at least one death among unvaccinated congregants. Provincial officials described the cluster as a tightly knit social group, prompting Premier Andrew Furey to convene a meeting with religious leaders, including Pentecostals, to discuss the importance of vaccination.

Pastor Leroy Gee of the First United Pentecostal Church stated that he adheres to public health guidelines but expressed concerns about mandatory vaccination policies. Gee warned that such measures could represent a form of increasing governmental control, which he associates with the “tribulation” or “Antichrist system” described in religious texts. He emphasized that individuals should not be forced to serve the system, reflecting a perspective that frames public health mandates through a theological lens.

In New Brunswick, the Amazing Grace Pentecostal church was identified as a location of an exposure event on August 29. Joe Gee, a resident of Carlingford, N.B., who is not related to the Newfoundland pastor, reported that some family members may have been exposed to the virus through the church. He called for an investigation into the outbreak, which also resulted in the death of his unvaccinated father. His concerns highlight the personal and communal impact of the pandemic within these congregations.

Authorities in Saint John, N.B., recently found His Tabernacle Family Church in violation of public health orders. While the specific details of the violation were not disclosed, the incident underscores the growing tension between religious practices and public health mandates. As governments continue to push for vaccination, the role of religious leaders in shaping congregational attitudes remains a point of focus.

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