A Maltese man has appeared in court for his alleged promotion of conversion therapy. This case may set a key precedent, as several European countries – including the UK - have banned or are proposing to ban conversion therapy.
Matthew Grech is a member of the River of Love Pentecostal church. The 33-year-old is a former homosexual, converted to Christianity, who has now renounced his sexual orientation. He is charged with breaching the ban on the advertisement of gay conversion therapies, a law introduced in 2016, following an interview he gave to local media outlet PMnews (Public Media News), Malta. If found guilty he could receive a €5,000 fine or be sentenced to five months in prison.
During the interview he shared his story of how he had become a Christian, which led to him leaving behind a homosexual lifestyle and unwanted same-sex attraction. The interview was advertised on the PMnews Facebook page and its subject was chosen by the presenters of the programme. At no point during the programme did Matthew invite any listener to attend therapy or encourage anyone to get help for unwanted same-sex attraction.
Grech also said he does not agree with the term ‘conversion therapy’ and said that the deeper he went into the Christian faith and explored the Bible, the more ‘I understood that in the Bible, homosexuality is not an identity as we make it nowadays. And neither is it a feeling, but a practice. This means that no matter what sexual feelings a man or a woman is experiencing, if they have sexual relations with a person of the same sex, they commit the homosexual act in God’s eyes, and that is a sin. Just like every other sin, one can repent from it and ask God for forgiveness and ask Him for strength to overcome it”.
The case has now been adjourned until June. When the trial begins some believe it could have a domino effect, as it is likely to be the first time anyone has been tried for conversion therapy. Several countries, including Norway, the Netherlands and Switzerland, are now considering a ban on conversion therapy. Many Christians fear this will also impact pastoral conversations regarding people’s sexual orientation.
Andrea Williams, chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre, said: ‘Criminalising someone for telling their story of freedom and change from unwanted and unfulfilling sexual behaviours is discriminatory.’
