A Maltese Christian accused of promoting conversion therapy has been found not guilty of “advertising conversion practices”.
For the past three years, Matthew Grech had faced a five month prison sentence and 5,000 euro fine after sharing his testimony in a 2022 interview, in which he had spoken of leaving his homosexual lifestyle and becoming a Christian.
Previously Grech had lived a homosexual lifestyle in London, as well as being an LGBT activist and New Age follower with a special interest in reiki. Then he was invited to church and was convicted after hearing that God loved him and reading what St Paul said about homosexuality.
Grech has in the past shared more of his back story as well, explaining how he was living an “active homosexual lifestyle in London” before coming to faith. At the time, he was also heavily interested in the New Age and wanted to become a Reiki master.
“[I was] just really in a place of confusion,” Grech said. “Until a lovely Christian woman, she warned me about my New Age beliefs. … She invited me to church with her.”
He recalled being hesitant at first but then her kindness led him to give it a try. And after attending his first prayer meeting, he was deeply moved by all of the Christians who had gathered together to pray.
“And they invited me to go to a main gathering,” he recalled. “And the pastor of the community was having words of knowledge about people, and he pointed his finger at me. He said, ‘I sense that God wants to tell you that he really loves you.’”
Grech described the moment as though a sword was piercing his heart. He decided to move toward faith and get a Bible. And he said truth began to permeate his heart after he read Paul’s words about homosexuality.
He then came to a powerful realisation: “I needed to repent and give my life to Jesus, and I did that, and it’s been the most surprising, blessed of a decision I’ve ever made in my life; I’m so thankful.”
The Magistrates’ Court in Valletta cleared him in March, along with two journalists involved in the interview.
The case had become “absurd and dangerous”
According to Christian Concern, the case was the first ever international prosecution for ‘conversion practices’. It also had international significance because Malta was the first EU country to ban so-called ‘conversion therapy’ in 2016, and Christian Concern says that nations including the UK and Australia used the Maltese legislation as the basis of their own bans.
Grech’s lawyers, from the Christian Legal Centre, argued that the prosecution was a violation of his rights under Article 41 of the Constitution of Malta and Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights, and that in Grech’s interview he at no point promoted or offered therapy.
Andrea Williams, Chief Executive of the Christian Legal Centre, commented: “Today’s not‑guilty verdict is a clear and decisive victory, not only for Matthew, but for Christian freedom and free speech across the world…
“This case has exposed how activists have sought to weaponise the law to silence people like Matthew who express mainstream Christian beliefs about sexuality, marriage and identity… Even the broadcasters who challenged him robustly during the interview were prosecuted, which showed just how absurd and dangerous this case had become.”
Grech said: “For three long years, my life has been turned completely upside down, not for harming anyone, not for inciting hatred, not for breaking the law, but for sharing my personal testimony of hope and renewal on a podcast… That this should happen in Malta with the support of the wider European political network should be a warning to the world…
“Today, I thank God that justice has prevailed… I was never guilty of anything except speaking openly about my own life.”
Sources: Christian Concern and