MPs Condemn Man Who Interrupted Quebec Church Mass and Performed Islamic Prayer

Conservative MP Michael Barrett rises during Question Period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on June 15, 2021. The Canadian Press/Justin Tang

Two MPs have spoken out against an internet personality who interrupted a recent Catholic Mass and appeared to perform an Islamic prayer.

“This disruption of a Catholic Mass is appalling. It’s also a criminal act,” wrote Conservative MP Michael Barrett on X (formerly Twitter) Jan. 25.

Independent MP Kevin Vuong also commented on the video on X.

“This must be condemned as we would if this was done to any other religion,” said Mr. Vuong.

“Similarly, more needs to be acted on re: acts of arson against churches. The case for an Office of Religious Freedom with an international AND domestic mandate becomes ever stronger to protect all of faith.”

In a video posted by the publication Catholic Arena posted on X on Jan. 25, internet personality Nabil Absi can be seen walking up to a priest presiding over a Mass. The video caption indicates “QUEBEC.”

“Excuse me, my father,” the video shows Mr. Absi saying in French to the priest. “I can’t find a mosque, would it bother you if I prayed over there? It’s a sacred place.”

The priest politely agrees and gestures toward the floor a few feet away.

The camera then pans over to an elderly woman taking in the scene. She makes the sign of the cross. Mr. Absi’s video captions the action with the phrase, “She is shocked,” including a laughter emoji.

Mr. Absi then appears to pray on a small carpet in Islamic fashion. After a while, he leaves and thanks the priest on his way out.

Mr. Barrett noted the muted response of the congregation to the events that took place.

“The reserved response of clergy and the gathered faithful isn’t indifference - it’s a testament to their devotion,” he said on X.

The Epoch Times reached out to Mr. Absi about Mr. Barrett’s comments.

Mr. Absi wouldn’t confirm the location or the date of the incident.

He said his intention was to “highlight tolerance within Canadian society.”

“Your interest in my video is greatly appreciated,” he wrote.

“My intention was to share the beauty of Christianity and highlight tolerance within Canadian society. By humbly asking for permission to pray, I aimed to respect the space while celebrating my faith. The positive reaction from my Christian peers confirms the loving aspect of this religion and its ability to promote tolerance,” he added.

Mr. Absi said he only pretended to pray. A copy of the video posted on his Facebook page which was available on Jan. 25 was no longer available on Jan. 26.

Mr. Absi posts videos on social media that shock and entertain, with themes such as eating 10,000 calories in 12 hours, “Admitting to Being a Transsexual on the First Date (Social Experiment),” and “The Largest Gun Store in Oklahoma + Shooting Range.”

Many of his videos take place in Quebec.

Independent MP Kevin Vuong rises during question period, March 23, 2022, in Ottawa. The Canadian Press/Adrian Wyld

Section 176(2) of the Criminal Code of Canada criminalizes the intentional disruption of religious or moral gatherings.

It states that anyone who willfully disturbs or interrupts an assembly meeting for religious worship or for moral, social, or benevolent purposes is guilty of an offence.

The section is designed to protect the right to freedom of religion and belief, as well as to maintain public safety and social order. It broadly defines “assemblage” to include various types of gatherings and “disturbance” to encompass any disruptive act. Offences under the section are punishable under summary conviction and can result in fines or imprisonment of up to six months.

The Epoch Times reached out to the Catholic Archbishop of Quebec for comment, but did not receive a response by press time.

Editor’s note: This article was updated on Jan. 26 after further comments were received from Nabil Absi.