Christians are being asked to wish following the twelfth and sure final hearing within the controversial trial of Matthew Grech in Malta.
The Christian Legal Centre, a sister organisation of Christian Concern, has been supporting Grech’s legal defence within the case.
Grech, a Maltese Christian and former finalist on the X Factor Malta TV show, is being prosecuted for allegedly promoting ‘conversion practices’ after appearing in a 2022 interview on PMnews Malta.
In the programme, he shared his personal story of abandoning a homosexual lifestyle and embracing evangelical Christianity.
The interview, advertised on PMnews Malta’s Facebook page, featured Grech discussing his beliefs on sexuality from a biblical perspective but didn’t include any direct offer of therapy.
Nonetheless, he and the show’s presenters were charged under Article 3 of Malta’s Affirmation of Sexual Orientation, Gender and Gender Expression Act.
The final oral submissions concluded last week in what’s believed to be the world’s first criminal prosecution of its kind. The final verdict is anticipated in October.
Christian Concern is asking supporters to intercede for Grech, who faces a possible five-month prison sentence and a €5,000 effective under Malta’s ban on so-called ‘conversion practices’.
“Pray justice is completed and that Matthew would not be imprisoned for sharing his ex-gay testimony and the reality that counselling will help people,” the post read.
Following the hearing, Grech expressed heartfelt gratitude on Instagram: “I’m very grateful for my lawyer’s outstanding delivery: Dr. Jeanise Dalli. I would like to thank lawyer Dr. Joseph Bugeja for accompanying her on the day. Thank you Dr. Michael Phillips for flying over from the UK in support of our case. “Thank you to all of you who were present in body or spirit. Your support is seen and felt. The final verdict is anticipated to be given on October twenty ninth, 2025.“My heart is steadfast, trusting within the Lord’s perfect plan. He is the Commander of the Army!”
Grech denies any wrongdoing, stating prior to his trial: “I’m in a criminal court for essentially sharing the hope of my Christian faith and what Christians consider. My Christian journey of transformation, from being a practising homosexual focused on the occult and wanting to be a reiki master, to becoming a committed evangelical Christian, is one which needs to be told without fear of being criminalised.”
Dr Mike Davidson, Chair of the International Foundation for Therapeutic and Counselling Choice (IFTCC), provided expert testimony in the course of the trial.
Dr Davidson, who can also be ex-gay, criticised the Maltese prosecution as a violation of free speech and therapeutic rights, arguing that individuals who now not discover as LGBT must retain the best to hunt skilled support in alignment with their values.
He said: “In what might be a test case, the freedoms of speech, conscience and religion are being attacked. The fact is that therapeutic and counselling alternative is a fundamental right
“Governments promoting monocultural viewpoints— this concept that sexual orientation is inborn and unchangeable, and that gender is unrelated to biological sex – are denying those unwilling to discover as LGBT the best to go away identities and practices now not relevant to them. This is a human rights issue.
“Without ideological diversity in any life issue, democracy is denied checks and balances and descends to totalitarianism.”
The Christian Legal Centre’s Chief Executive, Andrea Williams, has called the prosecution a “flagrant attempt” to criminalise Christian testimony.
“To deny that Matthew and others can change is discriminatory and violates their Christian freedoms and fundamental human right to free speech,” she said, warning that a conviction could set a precedent with global implications for freedom of speech, press, and spiritual expression.
Since Malta became the primary EU country to outlaw ‘conversion therapy’ in 2016, critics of the laws have raised concerns over the law’s vague definitions.
Observers fear that similar cases could emerge within the UK and other countries if protections for religious expression and private testimony should not upheld.
