Christ Embassy worshippers fined again as cops shut down church

Christ Embassy Sydney has been shut and 28 worshippers have been fined again following more evidence of Covid breaches.

Worshippers at a Blacktown church have been fined again and the venue shut down for a week following more evidence of Covid breaches.

Police initially fined 30 adults a combined $30,000 on Sunday night after officers allegedly discovered a group of 60 people including children attending a sermon at Christ Embassy Sydney on Fourth Ave, Blacktown.

Christ Embassy in Blacktown, which has been fined for an illegal gathering. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Flavio Brancaleone

The church was also fined $5000 for illegally hosting a gathering.

After collecting the details of all the worshippers and directing them to go home, police discovered the church had no QR codes at the entry and attendees had travelled from other hotspot LGAs including Fairfield, Canterbury-Bankstown and Liverpool.

Under the current public health order, people who live in LGAs of concern must stay within their own LGA unless they are an authorised worker, need medical attention or are providing compassionate care.

Following the investigation, police handed out another 27 Penalty Infringement Notices of $500 to the churchgoers for not wearing masks inside the venue during the Sunday service.

Christ Embassy Sydney pastor Marvin Osaghae was also served a prohibition order at 6am on Wednesday, forcing the church to stop operating for a week, as well as a $500 fine for not wearing a mask.

Earlier this week Pr Osaghae was seen decrying NSW’s strict Covid rules in a video posted online, declaring “in the name of Jesus, lockdowns are over”.

Christ Embassy Sydney pastor Marvin Osaghae declaring Covid lockdowns “are over”. Picture: Facebook

The pastor was unavailable for comment when approached by The Daily Telegraph following the latest penalties issued.

It comes following public criticism of Christ Embassy Sydney’s alleged illegal gathering, with NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian, police officials and leaders of other churches rebuking the churchgoers’ behaviour.

Ms Berejiklian earlier called the incident “disappointing”.