Bishop who defied lockdown to hold sermons is killed by coronavirus

Bishop Gerald Glenn was put on a ventilator days after vowing to keep preaching even if coronavirus killed him, with his death announced Sunday

A bishop who drew criticism for ignoring coronavirus social distancing warnings has been killed by Covid-19. Bishop Gerald Glenn, of the New Deliverance Evangelistic Church in Virginia died of coronavirus over the weekend, his family announced on Sunday.

The 66 year-old’s death came just a fortnight after Glenn told a sermon that he wasn’t afraid to die of the disease. Bishop Glenn held his usual Sunday service on March 22 despite a Centers for Disease Control warning to avoid mass gatherings, and told several dozen worshippers: ‘I firmly believe that God is larger than this dreaded virus.’ Glenn went on to vow to keep preaching ‘unless I’m in jail or hospital.’

A video of that sermon was posed to YouTube, but subsequently removed. The bishop’s daughter Mar Gerie Crawley begged friends to take the threat of coronavirus seriously after her father was placed on a ventilator April 4. Writing on Facebook, she said: ‘It becomes very real to you.

‘I just beg people to understand the severity and the seriousness of this, because people are saying it’s not just about us, it’s about everyone around us.’

Glenn’s wife Mother Marcietia Glenn, 65, tested positive for Covid-19 shortly after her husband. A further update on her condition has not been given.

Just over a week after Glenn’s controversial gathering, Governor of Virginia Ralph Northam issued an executive order which banned all gatherings of more than 10 people.

Virginia Senator Tim Kaine was among those who paid tribute to Bishop Glenn, tweeting: ‘My heart sinks as I learn this morning that Bishop Gerald Glenn, pastor of New Deliverance Evangelistic Church, died yesterday from Covid-19.

‘He was a friend and pillar of Richmond faith community. May all do as much for so many.’

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