The former Maltese LGBT activist is reportedly facing potential prison time after sharing testimony about leaving a gay lifestyle to follow Christ.
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Matthew Gretsch told CBN News to return to court on July 16, in order to avoid a five-month prison and a possible fine after being accused of “advertising so-called conversion practices.” The final verdict in his case is expected to come in October.
As we reported earlier, legal issues began when Gretsch left the LGBTQ lifestyle and shared his story of finding Jesus at a local outlet in Malta. He said two presenters at PMNews Malta wanted to learn more about the public’s crackdown on so-called conversion therapy and his views on his issues.
Malta became the first European Union country in 2016 to ban attempts to “change, suppress or eliminate a person’s sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression,” even reaching fines and prison time.
“I was invited to share my story on the program and answer questions about what is called conversion practice,” Grech previously told CBN News. “And I mentioned the organization… to support men and women leaving LGBT, as well as organizations that promote biblical sexuality.”
He landed himself in Crossfire because the organization he mentioned would help support men and women who have “unwanted same-sex desires” or “unwanted gender confusion.”
After the three reported Grech to the police, he realized he had fallen into a legal quagmire. He said in an updated interview last week that his court, which showed this week, was his “12th Criminal Court hearing in Malta” since the case began.
“It would be the final oral submission between lawyers before the final sentence,” he said, leading up to the hearing. “It was a very long journey.”
But that’s a journey that Grech plans to continue to embark on, as he is deeply concerned about Maltese’s right to freedom of speech and what he considers as a nasty erosion of basic freedoms.
“Frankly, people deserve the right to seek voluntary assistance that they deserve. That’s right for them because they want to live according to their values,” he said. “Or maybe they want to resolve marriage or past traumatic conflicts through abuse.”
Grech believes his case is extremely important as it allows for precedents to be set all over the world.
“I don’t know of another case like me in the world,” he said. “So perhaps this was an attempt to have a test case to see where we go in Malta.”
Gretsch believes he has a solid case and believes he can win the battle for free speech. Of course, the journey wasn’t easy as he explained that he would pay because he was labelled by critics and legal systems. Still, he hasn’t stopped him from sharing his faith and story on social media.
“The Maltese knows me. In reality, a lot of people love to pray with me,” he said. “And I noticed that the tide is changing in Malta, which just doesn’t sit right. But you know, I am pleased with persecution because Jesus is worthy.”
One of the coldest aspects of Grech’s case was the silence he observed in the media as he said he would no longer receive media invitations. He thinks the outlet is so afraid that it can’t risk discussing the issue.
“Television broadcasts and stations are even afraid to develop subjects,” he said. “So before both sides of the story are told. Now I feel sad for my country, my country, for Malta deserves to hear both sides of the story.
Gretsch also shared a little more of his backstory, explaining how he lived a “active gay lifestyle in London” before coming to faith. At the time, he was also deeply interested in the New Age and wanted to become a master of Reiki.
“(I was) in a really messy place,” Gretsch said. “Until I became a lovely Christian woman, she warned me about my new age beliefs. … She invited me to church with her.”
He remembered he hesitated at first, but then her kindness led him to try it. And after attending his first prayer meeting, he was deeply moved by all the Christians who gathered to pray.
“And they invited me to go to the main gathering,” he recalled. “And the pastor in the community had a word of knowledge about people and he pointed his finger at me. He said, “I feel that God wants to tell you that he really loves you.”
Gretsch explained the moment as if the sword was stabbing him in his heart. He moved towards faith and decided to get the Bible. And he said that after reading Paul’s words about homosexuality, the truth began to permeate his heart.
He then came to a strong recognition. “I had to repent and breathe Jesus into life. I did that. It was an incredible thing I’ve ever had the decisions I’ve made in my life. I’m so grateful.”
Check out the video above for more information.
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