Folau’s church goes underground but he’s still posting
Israel Folau’s God-fearing congregation has gone underground after the sacked rugby player asking for $3 million on GoFundMe for his legal bills. But it hasn’t kept him off Instagram.
NSW
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- Revealed: 46,000-strong group backing Israel Folau
- No action against netballer Maria for re-posting GoFundMe details
Israel Folau’s God-fearing congregation has gone underground after the sacked rugby player put himself in the spotlight asking for $3 million for his legal bills.
The Truth of Jesus Christ held its usual Sunday service inside Israel’s father’s $2.1 million Kenthurst home on Sunday.
The service is usually broadcast on Facebook and open to the public at the Uniting Church Kenthurst.
Sunday’s service was closed and the home’s blinds were drawn.
The move comes after the Uniting Church Kenthurst secretary said there could be a time when Folau’s comments would see his congregation banned from using the building.
However Folau posted a passage from Corinthians on his Instagram page on Sunday afternoon, which received 8,391 likes within the first four hours.
“For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God,” he posted.
On Friday, the highest-try scorer in Super Rugby history was slammed by former teammates and fans for asking for $3 million in donations to fund his legal challenge against Rugby Australia.
Australian netball royalty Liz Ellis slammed Netball Australia for stating it would take no action against Folau’s wife Maria, who plays for Adelaide Thunderbirds.
Maria shared her husband’s GoFundMe page on social media accounts.
“Yeah nah not good enough,” Ellis tweeted. “There is no room for homophobia in our game.
“Anyone who is seen to support or endorse homophobia is not welcome.
“As much as I love watching Maria Folau play netball I do not want my sport endorsing the views of her husband.”
Folau has engaged a high profile PR company to manage the advertising campaign for his GoFundMe account, including the production of a video.
The company Civic Reputation would not reveal how much the campaign cost.
Since launching the campaign Folau has raised more than $700,00.
“My fight with Rugby Australia to defend my right to practice my religion has so far cost my wife Maria and me over $100,000 in legal fees.
“Rugby Australia has an army of lawyers at their disposal and they have already said they will divert significant resources to fight me in court,” Folau said in the video.
“The cost to me and my family of continuing my legal action against Rugby Australia is expected to be significant.
“To help me, I’ve engaged a top-flight legal team, including one of Australia’s leading workplace relations barristers.”
Folau has lodged a legal challenge with Fair Work after his $4 million RA contract was ripped up in May over one of Folau’s social media posts, where he targets several sections of the community claiming they will go to hell.
He is claiming $10 million is lost wages and earnings.
The social post, which went up in April, has not been taken down.
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