Latest news with #MinisteriosRestauracion
CTV News
a day ago
- Entertainment
- CTV News
MAGA singer: Religious group denounces Montreal for fining church after concert
Christian musician Sean Feucht of California preaches to the crowd during a rally at the National Mall in Washington, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020. (Jose Luis Magana/AP Photo) MONTREAL — A Quebec religious group is accusing the City of Montreal of censorship for fining a local church after it hosted a concert over the weekend by a Christian singer. Ministerios Restauración Church is facing a $2,500 fine for hosting singer Sean Feucht, a rising star in the MAGA political movement tied to U.S. President Donald Trump. The city says it warned the church it didn't have a permit to host Feucht -- who has spoken out against abortion and LGBTQ+ people -- but says the show went ahead anyway. The religious group -- Réseau évangélique du Québec -- represents roughly 500 evangelical Protestant churches in the province, and says the city tried to shut the show down because it didn't like the singer's religious views. Spokesperson Jean-Christophe Jasmin says the event should not have required a permit because it was part of a routine religious gathering. Complaints about Feucht have led officials to cancel his concerts scheduled in Eastern Canada -- decisions that free speech advocates in the country say were violations of the Charter. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 28, 2025.
Globe and Mail
3 days ago
- Politics
- Globe and Mail
Montreal fines local church for hosting MAGA-affiliated musician Sean Feucht
The City of Montreal has fined a local church for hosting a concert by the U.S.-based Christian musician Sean Feucht. Feucht's controversial views and his status as a rising star in the MAGA movement have led officials to cancel his concerts in several Canadian cities in recent days. But on Friday evening, an evangelical church in Montreal allowed Feucht to perform a hastily scheduled concert over the objections of the city administration, and is now facing a $2,500 fine. A spokesperson for Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante said the Ministerios Restauración Church in the city's Plateau-Mont-Royal borough did not have a permit to organize a concert, and had been informed that the event could not take place. 'This show runs counter to the values of inclusion, solidarity, and respect that are championed in Montreal. Freedom of expression is one of our fundamental values, but hateful and discriminatory speech is not acceptable in Montreal,' Philippe Massé said in a statement. 'A ticket was issued because the organization violated the regulations by going ahead with the show.' MAGA-affiliated American musician faces wave of cancellations on eastern Canadian tour Protesters gathered outside the church during the concert Friday evening. Montreal police say they arrested a 38-year-old man for obstruction. They also say a smoke bomb was set off inside the church during Feucht's performance. Feucht reacted Saturday on social media to the events in Montreal, claiming that two smoke bombs were thrown at his head during the concert. 'Now you want (to) fine the church for doing what the church does - WORSHIP,' he said on X. 'Every Canadian should be embarrassed/concerned with this. No bigger scandal in Canada.' The church did not respond to requests for comment from The Canadian Press. Feucht was scheduled to perform east of Ottawa in Alfred, Ont. on Saturday afternoon, before moving on to the Toronto area on Sunday. The Christian singer describes himself as a musician, missionary, author and activist. He has spoken out against 'gender ideology,' abortion and the LGBTQ+ community, and his religious and political views have grabbed the attention of U.S. President Donald Trump's administration. The Atlantic magazine, based in Washington, D.C., recently described Feucht as a Christian nationalist who has become a 'MAGA superstar.' 'Between praising President Donald Trump as God's chosen one and suggesting that abortion supporters are 'demons,' Feucht has repeatedly advocated for the fusion of church and state,' the article says. Complaints from residents and planned protests have prompted officials to cancel all six of the concerts scheduled as part of the eastern Canadian leg of Feucht's 'Revive in 25' tour over the last week, forcing him to seek alternate venues. A guide to Trumpism's online universe, from Kick to Rumble to Truth Social On Tuesday, Parks Canada announced it had revoked a permit for a performance scheduled at a national historic site in Halifax, citing 'heightened public safety concerns.' Concerts have since been cancelled in Charlottetown, Moncton, N.B., Quebec City, Gatineau, Que. and Vaughan, Ont. Feucht announced his Montreal concert venue on Thursday, after his planned Friday show in Quebec City was cancelled. A second spokesperson for Plante said the show was scheduled at the 'last minute without notice.' The singer says he's the victim of 'Christian persecution,' and is accusing Canada of tyranny and censorship. 'A couple crazy activists started raising up all of this ruckus across Canada, and one by one all of our permits were cancelled out of safety concerns,' he said in a social media video posted Friday night following the Montreal performance. 'Here we are in the middle of a firestorm.' Feucht still has a series of concerts scheduled in western Canada in August.
CTV News
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Montreal plans to shut down ‘MAGA superstar' singer's show over lack of permit
Christian musician Sean Feucht of California sings to the crowd during a rally at the National Mall in Washington, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020. (Jose Luis Magana/AP Photo) The City of Montreal confirmed it plans to shut down a concert by a U.S.-based Christian musician who has been described as a 'MAGA superstar,' saying the venue does not hold proper permits. Six dates of Sean Feucht's Canadian tour have been cancelled so far. His concerts in Quebec City, Gatineau, Charlottetown, and Halifax were all cancelled earlier this week. Event organizers said the events were called off after complaints and reports of planned protests. The controversial singer was scheduled to put on a show at the Ministerios Restauración Church in the Plateau-Mont-Royal at 7 p.m. Friday night. A spokesperson for the city told CTV News that the church 'does not have a permit to organize a concert, and district inspectors have notified the owners that the event cannot take place.' But Feucht posted on social media that 'The church IS NOT BACKING DOWN!!!' and it's 'time to take a stand for the gospel in Canada!' They are now pressuring, threatening & attacking the Spanish pastor of the cathedral (built in the 1930's) we are at tonight in Montreal. It's a moment of decision for the spiritual leaders of this nation. Will they arise in boldness? — Sean Feucht (@seanfeucht) July 25, 2025 Show goes against Montreal`s values of 'inclusion, solidarity and respect,' city says The city said police have been mobilized to enforce regulations and 'violation notices will be issued if the concert goes ahead.' A spokesperson for Montreal police (SPVM) said officers have been on-site since this afternoon and are monitoring the situation. Feucht's has been outspoken against 'gender ideology,' abortion and the LGBTQ+ community and met with American President Donald Trump during his first term. He also protested government restrictions during the pandemic and is known to go on political and religious rants during his concerts. Montreal said the show goes against the city's values of 'inclusion, solidarity and respect.' Over the last few days, he has been taking to social media to call out what he says is 'the outright persecution and censorship of a Christians in Canada.' Rebel News launched an online petition to 'protect the right for Christians to worship in Canada' after his shows were cancelled. 'Freedom of expression is one of our fundamental values, but hateful and discriminatory speech is not accepted in Montreal. As in other Canadian cities, this show will not be tolerated,' said a spokesperson for Montreal in a text message. With files from CTV News Montreal's Max Harrold
