‘We’re all in shock’: Saskatoon church puts worship minister Mark Zielke on leave following criminal charges

WATCH: A former Saskatoon mayoral candidate and owner of a legal services business is facing charges in connection with an armed robbery at a North Battleford m

St. Paul’s United Church has placed its worship minister on a paid administrative leave as he faces criminal charges.

Mark Zielke is facing 14 charges in connection to an armed robbery at a North Battleford motel on April 5.

Court documents allege Zielke, and two other men, threatened motel workers with a gun and used a sword to assault an employee, who was later taken to hospital.

Police say cash, electronics, bank cards and IDs were stolen from the motel.

Zielke declined an interview with CTV News.

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Rev. Mitchell Anderson, St. Paul’s United Church lead minister, said Zielke will also not be allowed to participate in any church activities.

Anderson said Zielke will have “pastoral care support from outside the congregation” with an appointed member of St. Paul’s acting as a liaison.

“We’re all in shock. We’re praying for Mark and we’re praying for the individuals affected by this incident, the employees of the hotel and all others who’ve been impacted,” Anderson told CTV News.

The lead minister said someone from outside the church will be brought in to provide support for the St. Paul’s congregation.

“We’re taking our time, doing everything very thoughtfully and with prayer,” Anderson said, adding that it’s too soon to say how long Zielke’s leave will last.

Anderson said the leave is not disciplinary.

Along with working at the church, Zielke runs a business offering legal services, though he is not a lawyer. He also campaigned to be Saskatoon’s mayor in 2020.

Zielke was released on bail on Wednesday. His next court appearance is April 28 at Provincial Court in North Battleford.