Let The Law Do Its Work, River Of Love Pastor Says On Bis-Serjetá Case Controversy
River of Love spiritual leader Gordon–John Manché said the law should be allowed to do its work after police charged a satirist with threatening to carpet bomb his church.
Matt Bonanno, owner of the satirical website Bis-Serjetá, is facing charges after he jokingly wrote on Facebook last year that River of Love should be relocated to Bugibba and carpet bombed.
Lovin Malta asked Manché whether he personally reported Bonanno to the police himself and whether he believes there is a genuine risk that the satirist could carpet bomb River of Love.
However, the pastor adopted a cautious stance.
“We let the law do its work like with every case of this sort. Thank you and God bless you,” he responded.
The Facebook comments that landed Bonanno and his friend in court
Bonanno has been charged with the improper use of electronic equipment and with going online to threaten to commit a crime, both charges of which carry a maximum fine of €25,000.
A friend of Bonanno is also facing the same charges for similar comments.
The police’s decision to charge Bonanno has proven controversial, with many denouncing it as an attack on free speech.
Musician Pawlu Borg Bonaci questioned whether priests and pastors who quote brutal statements from the Bible should be taken literally too.
“Should we take them seriously? Or should we take pastors and priests with a pinch of salt and take satirists seriously?”
Activist Wayne Flask questioned the police’s priorities, noting that no charges have yet been issued in relation to a construction site collapse last month that caused the death of JeanPaul Sofia and questioning whether all domestic violence reports have been actioned.
For his part, Bonanno has taken things in his stride, launching a fundraiser for help fighting the legal battle and jokingly asking people if they have a garage where he can hide a military plane.
Cover photo: Left: Matt Bonanno, Right: Gordon-John Manché
Do you think the police should drop the case?
READ NEXT: 'Everyone Makes Mistakes': Marilù's Cafe 'Vandals' Give Their Side Of The Story
