Heinrich (Henry) Hildebrandt (born 1963) is a Mexican-Canadian religious leader, activist, and conspiracy theorist.[1] In 1991, Hildebrandt became pastor of a fundamentalist Church of God (Restoration) congregation in Aylmer, Ontario, a group described by former members as "controlling" and "cult-like".[2][3] Hildebrandt also has the title of Apostle in the global presbytery of the Church of God (Restoration). In, what some suggest, is an effort to fulfill church prophesy and attract new members,[4] Hildebrandt became an outspoken critic of COVID-19 restrictions and led his congregation in defying restrictions on gatherings since April 2020, which he alleges is a government conspiracy to destroy the true Christian church.[5][6]
Henry Hildebrandt | |
|---|---|
 Pastor Henry Hildebrandt of the Church of God in Aylmer, 2021. | |
| Born | 1963 |
| Nationality | Canadian, Mexican |
| Known for | COVID-19 misinformation, Anti Lockdown Activism, COVID-19 denialism, Anti Vaccine Activism. |
| Website | https://henryhildebrandt.com/ |
Early life
editHildebrandt is a former Mennonite who was born in 1963 to a Plautdiesch-speaking family, near Cuauahtemoc, Chihuahua, Mexico. At a young age, Hildebrandt left the Mennonite church to join the German Church of God.[7] Hildebrandt immigrated to Canada in 1985 and became a Canadian citizen in 1989. Soon thereafter he joined the Church of God (Restoration) sect and quickly became a leader.[8]
Child abuse controversy
editIn 2001, Hildebrandt and his congregation were thrust into the national limelight due to a clash between a family in the congregation and the local Children's Aid Society over the physical discipline of children.[9] Several children were seized from a home among Hildebrandt's congregation, as they were disciplining their children using straps and sticks. Also of concern for child welfare authorities was that the church prohibited families from taking sick children to medical doctors.[10] Hildebrandt defended the family, claiming their discipline methods were advocated by his church, were based on their "biblically-held convictions", and did not constitute abuse.[11] Following the incident, more than 100 members of his congregation fled to the United States and Mexico over fears the government would "restrict their freedoms" to hit their children using straps and sticks.[12][13] Hildebrandt was criminally charged after he "publicly identified a child who is part of a child welfare proceeding", which is illegal in Ontario.[14]
Anti-COVID-19 restrictions activism
editIn April 2020 during the COVI9-19 pandemic, Hildebrandt held drive-in services at his church, despite strict gathering limits mandated by the province of Ontario.[15] No charges were laid and after several weeks the Ontario government relented and modified the regulations to allow for such gatherings.[16]
After holding multiple indoor church services in defiance of Ontario government mandates in January and February 2021, Hildebrandt and his congregation were ordered by the Superior Court of Justice to abide by all COVID-19 restrictions mandated by the government of Ontario.[17]
On 14 May 2021, he and the congregation were found in contempt of court and Justice Bruce Thomas ordered the doors of the church be locked and fines of $117,000 were issued.[18] In response, Hildebrandt's church and the Trinity Bible Chapel based in the Waterloo region, brought a constitutional challenge arguing that Covid public health measures interfered with their religious freedom. In March 2022, Ontario Superior Court Justice Renee Pomerance ruled against Hildebrandt, finding that public health measures were “reasonably and demonstrably justified” given the unprecedented public health crisis. Hildebrandt appealed this judgement but The Ontario Court of Appeal ruled in favour of the lower court. Hildebrandt again appealed the Court of Appeal's ruling. In August 2023, the Supreme Court of Canada declined to hear Hildebrandt's appeal. As a result the outstanding charges faced by Hildebrandt and his church have been re-activated. [19]
In February 2022, Hildebrandt became an outspoken supporter of the Freedom Convoy in Ottawa.[20] He led bilingual worship services in front of the Parliament Buildings along with a pastor from Montreal during the convoy's presence in Ottawa and confronted police with his religious message.[21]
In August 2022, Hildebrandt's son Herbert Hildebrandt was found guilty of assaulting an 82-year-old man during a pandemic-related confrontation outside the church in 2021.[22]
In August 2023, Hildebrandt pled guilty to one count of violation of pandemic restrictions, as part of a plea deal. All other Covid-related charges against him were dropped, and he agreed to pay a fine of $52,000.[23]
References
edit- ^ "Henry Hildebrandt:From religious firebrand to COVID-19 provocateur". The London Free Press. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
- ^ "Church fighting pandemic restrictions is cult-like". CBC.ca. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
- ^ "Former Church of God Restoration members says she is out and recovering". Winnipeg Sun.
- ^ "Controversial religious sect in small-town Ontario preaches disruption". CTV W. 27 March 2021. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
- ^ "Anti-mask organizers charged for weekend rally in CalgaryJudge orders locks removed from Aylmer Church of God". London Free Press.
- ^ "Controversial religious sect in small-town Ontario preaches disruption". CTV W. 27 March 2021. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
- ^ "Henry Hildebrandt:From religious firebrand to COVID-19 provocateur". The London Free Press. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
- ^ "A Former Church of God (Restoration) Member Shares Her Story". Mennotoba. 13 January 2021. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
- ^ "Spanked children not abused: Ontario pastor". CBC.
- ^ "Henry Hildebrandt:From religious firebrand to COVID-19 provocateur". The London Free Press. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
- ^ "Sect Members Flee in Fight Over Right to Beat Children". Buffalo News. 22 July 2001.
- ^ "Sect Members Flee in Fight Over Right to Beat Children". Buffalo News. 22 July 2001.
- ^ Jon Bricker (July 16, 2001). "100 feel after kids seized:pastor". The National Post.
- ^ "Aylmer pastor charged in connection with Web site". CBC.ca. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
- ^ "Police in Aylmer, Ont. consulting with Crown about church's drive-in services". CP24. 28 April 2020.
- ^ "WARMINGTON: Drive-in churches given green light". Toronto Sun.
- ^ "Aylmer, Ont. church ordered by judge to abide by COVID-19 restrictions". CBC.
- ^ "Lockdown-Defying Aylmer Church Of God Ordered To Lock Its Doors Shut". Narcity.
- ^ Sims, Jane (August 10, 2023). "Supreme Court declines to hear Church of God's COVID penalty appeal publisher". Retrieved August 13, 2023.
- ^ "Stay peaceful, stay united, and avoid agitators". YouTube. 4 February 2022.
- ^ "Trucker convoy protestors could 'knock on your door', anti-mask pastor tells Trudeau". National Post.
- ^ "Herbert Hildebrandt found guilty of assaulting 82-year-old man". CTV News. 22 August 2022. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
- ^ Rivers, Heather (24 August 2023). "'I am guilty': Plea by controversial pastor resolves all COVID-related charges". London Free Press. Retrieved 5 October 2023.