Christian Man Prosecuted For His Testimony Because He Isn't Gay Anymore Awaits Ruling In Malta

Matthew Grech, a 36 year old Christian man in Malta, is scheduled to receive a ruling Thursday in his three year legal battle after being criminally charged for sharing his personal testimony about leaving the LGBT lifestyle in 2022.

Grech faces potential fines of over $5,700 or up to five months in prison under Malta's Affirmation of Sexual Orientation, Gender and Gender Expression Act. The charges stem from an April 2022 interview with PMnews Malta, an independent outlet, where he discussed his views on conversion therapy bans and shared his personal story of becoming a Christian and choosing to leave homosexual relationships.

During the interview, Grech explained that after coming to faith, he came to believe that homosexuality is not an identity but rather a sinful practice that he could no longer continue as a Christian.

"Just like every other sin, one can repent from it and ask God for forgiveness and ask Him for strength to overcome,"

Grech stated. He serves as a trustee with the UK based Core Issues Trust, which supports individuals who voluntarily seek change in sexual preference and expression.

At no point during the interview did Grech invite anyone to attend therapy to change their sexual orientation or gender identity, though he was critical of the Maltese law.

Both Grech and the two journalists at PMnews Malta who conducted the interview were prosecuted under Article 3 of the law, which makes it unlawful to "advertise conversion practices."

Malta's law, passed in 2016, was the first of its kind in Europe. Similar legislation has since been adopted in other Western nations, including Canada, where counseling that does not affirm homosexuality or transgenderism carries a potential five year jail sentence.

In 2023, PMnews Malta discovered that the police complaint against Grech came from Silvan Agius, an LGBT activist who helped craft the legislation and has served as a cabinet expert for EU Commissioner for Equality Helena Dalli since 2019.

Christian Attard, a founding member of the Malta LGTBIQ Rights Movement who has served on the European Commission on Sexual Orientation Law, and Cynthia Chircop, who co-chairs the organization, were also reportedly involved in the complaint.

After attending 12 court hearings, Grech is now awaiting a ruling that legal experts warn could set a precedent for other Western countries with conversion therapy bans.

Andrea Williams, Executive Director of the Christian Legal Centre representing Grech, stated:

"The real threat here is not just to Matthew, but to freedom of speech itself. Even the broadcasters, who were sympathetic to LGBT perspectives and openly challenged Matthew in the discussion, have been prosecuted. That is absurd."

Williams added that advocates for free speech and Christian freedom across Europe are watching closely, noting that "the judgment will have implications far beyond Malta's borders."

Grech has drawn parallels between his situation and the Apostle Paul's encounter with a venomous snake in Malta, as recounted in Acts 28. "We are facing the idol of our generation, and we're saying, 'We're not going to bow down to you, no matter what the cost,'" Grech said.

THE CRUSADER'S OPINION

This is what tyranny looks like.

A man shares his own testimony about Christ transforming his life and faces jail time for it. Not for harming anyone.

Not for forcing anyone.

For speaking about his own salvation. Malta, the island where Paul survived a viper, now persecutes a Christian for refusing to bow to the rainbow idol.

The West has criminalized repentance itself.

They call evil good and good evil. This isn't about protecting anyone.

It's about silencing the Gospel and punishing those who refuse to celebrate sin. If you can be jailed for your testimony, you are not free.

TAKE ACTION

Support Matthew Grech and defend Christian freedom of speech:

1. Christian Legal Centre (representing Matthew Grech)
   Website: https://christianconcern.com
   Donate: https://christianconcern.com/donate
   Contact: info@christianconcern.com
   Action: Donate to support legal defense for Christians facing persecution for their testimony. Email them to request updates on the case and ask how you can advocate for Matthew.
2. Core Issues Trust (Matthew serves as trustee)
   Website: https://core-issues.org
   Contact: info@core-issues.org
   Action: Support their mission to help Christians seeking freedom from unwanted same sex attraction. Email to request prayer updates and resources for your church.
3. Alliance Defending Freedom International
   Website: https://adfinternational.org
   Contact: info@adfinternational.org
   Action: ADF fights religious freedom cases across Europe. Contact them to ask how they can support Malta's case and similar situations. Request their legal briefing documents to share with your church and community.
4. Contact Malta's Ministry of Justice
   Email: justice.gov@gov.mt
   Action: Politely but firmly express concern over the prosecution of Matthew Grech for sharing his Christian testimony. Reference the case and Malta's historical Christian heritage. Request that charges be dropped.
5. Pray and Share
   Action: Commit to praying daily for Matthew Grech and his family. Share his story on social media with the hashtag #FreedomOfTestimony and #StandWithMatthew. Contact your pastor or church leaders and ask them to pray publicly for Matthew and other persecuted Christians.

Talking Points for Emails and Conversations:

• "Sharing personal testimony is a fundamental right and core Christian practice"
• "Matthew Grech harmed no one. He simply shared how Christ changed his life"
• "Criminalizing Christian testimony sets a dangerous precedent for all religious freedom"
• "Malta has a rich Christian heritage going back to the Apostle Paul. This prosecution betrays that legacy"
• "Even journalists who disagreed with Matthew are being prosecuted. This is about silencing speech, not protecting people"