Paul Furlong: Revival Christian Church pastor released from jail but banned from Facebook

Conspiracy theorist pastor Paul Furlong has been released from jail but banned from Facebook.

A radical pastor accused of trying to flout lockdown restrictions by organising an evangelical church service at a furniture shop in Narre Warren had his wife delete his conspiracy theory Facebook account as part of his bid to be released on bail.

Paul Furlong, 53, appeared at Frankston Magistrates Court by video link from the Metropolitan Remand Centre on Tuesday after more than two weeks behind bars.

Furlong’s barrister, Rahmin de Krester, said his client’s “strong views have mellowed since being incarcerated”.

The court heard Furlong, of Tyabb, had his wife, Julie Furlong delete his Facebook page ahead of his bail application, and had promised not to re-open it or to spread any Covid conspiracy theories online.

Revival Christian Church pastor Paul Furlong was locked up over his illegal Sunday service

Worshippers from the Narre Warren Revival Church have repeatedly gathered in defiance of Covid restrictions.

Mrs Furlong told Magistrate Vicky Prapas she would warn her husband he ran the risk of being taken back to jail and losing a $15,000 cash surety if he reopened his Facebook account.

“I would have the obligation to inform (police),” she said.

“I wouldn’t want to but I guess in this case I would.”

Mrs Furlong said she believed in the bible and followed it “as much as possible” but was “not as passionate about it as Paul is”.

“I have been a law-abiding citizen and I have followed (lockdown) directives,” she said.

Revival Christian Church pastor Paul Furlong was locked up over his illegal Sunday service

Victoria Police Senior Sergeant Luke Holmes told the court the pastor, who also owns a fish aquarium, posed a risk to everyone in the state if he continued to encourage large gatherings in defiance of the chief health officer’s directions.

“All it takes is one super spreader event … and all these gains are lost,” Sen Sgt Holmes said.

He said Furlong had expressed a string of incoherent quasi-legal views, including that his religious views were more important than the law.

“He has shown a continued propensity to disregard the directions of police and the chief health officer,” Sen Sgt Holmes said.

Worshippers gathered in a park in Narre Warren after police blocked access to the Revival Christian Church.

Furlong is charged with two counts of incitement and one count of failing to comply with a direction of the chief health officer.

He is yet to enter pleas.

Ms Prapas imposed a string of conditions on Furlong including a ban on reopening his Facebook page.

Furlong is also banned from being interviewed by conspiracy theorist websites that have given him and his views a platform.

Worshippers at his church, which is based in the front half of a furniture shop, will have to wear masks and obey limits on the number of people allowed at religious services.

Furlong’s case returns to court in November