South African pastor arrested in Florida for breaching COVID-19 laws

A South African pastor has been arrested in the United States after he violated COVID-19 restrictions by gathering congregants and hosting two Sunday services with hundreds of people in attendance. 

Rodney Howard-Browne, who is a local pastor in the town of River in Tampa Bay, Florida, was arrested on Monday and charged with unlawful assembly and a violation of health emergency rules. Both are second-degree crimes in the state.

He turned himself over to Tampa authorities on Monday 30 April and was remanded in jail before being freed 40 minutes later, having posted a $500 (approximately R9 000) bail.

Worship not discouraged

The sheriff under whose jurisdiction Howard-Browne’s church falls said that the arrest was not intended to discourage worship, but was a necessary measure in light of the efforts to curb the spread of coronavirus. 

“His reckless disregard for human life put hundreds of people in his congregation at risk and thousands of residents who may interact with them this week in danger,” Sheriff Chad Chronister said at a news conference in Tampa. 

“Our goal here is not to stop anyone from worshiping, but the safety and well-being of our community must always come first.”

‘Holy Ghost bartender’ denier of COVID-19 threat

According to the Tampa Bay Times, 58-year-old Howard-Browne refers to himself as “Holy Ghost bartender” and is reportedly a COVID-19 conspiracy theorist of sorts, having said that the coronavirus pandemic was a “phantom plague” created by the Chinese, with a little help from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. 

He grew up in Port Elizabeth and moved to the US in 1989. He began hosting revival gatherings before he and his wife founded Revival Ministries International in 1997, as well as River Bible Institute and River School of Worship.

He’s a colourful character, and has been implicated in several controversies – usually born from outlandish political and religious sentiment that he enthusiastically voices over podcasts.

Tampa Bay Times reported that he gained fame for high-energy productions and the “holy laughter” of his congregants, who danced wildly in the aisles as he delivers his sermons.

Prior to his arrest, he was reported to have addressed his congregants dismissing the threat of the virus.

“No plague shall come nigh thy dwelling, no weapon formed against them,” he said. 

“Of course, we’ve got what they call social distancing in here in this room and there’s people in other places and whatever, but we’re glad you came today,” he said.

‘Love thy neighbour – from a distance’ 

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases across Florida surged past 5 700 over the weekend. Florida is the second largest state in the US.

Addressing crowds at a press briefing announcing the arrest, state attorney Andrew Warren took to the pulpit and reaffirmed the need to obey state measures to stem the spread of the virus. 

“I’d remind the good pastor of Mark 12:31, which said there’s no more important commandment than to love thy neighbour as thyself,” Warren said. “Loving your neighbours is protecting them, not jeopardising their health by exposing them to this deadly virus.”