Most of us choose to follow COVID-19 restrictions as participation in community charity, and most protocols make sense (hand washing, distancing, etc.) But some restrictions are not rooted in science. I can go to a gift store, boutique, or even a strip club, but I can’t attend Mass? The former are not essential services, yet my essential spiritual right is blocked!
COVID-19 doesn’t discern whether you went to Mass (so you’ll be infected) or to a club (so not). I do not think the others should close, but neither should Mass.
The longer this goes on, the fewer will return to parishes and the harder it will be on our priests.
Is this targeted bigotry by government in ordering a halt to Mass? Maybe. We need leadership to fight for us at this time, not play nice to the detriment of Catholics province- (and world-) wide. It’s time for Catholic leaders to stand and be counted as voices for us all.
Melanie Kozak
Vancouver
All Catholics should be sending letters to Dr. Bonnie Henry asking her to reconsider the ban on religious gatherings. Here’s mine:
Dear Dr. Henry,
First of all, the efforts and wise decisions you have made during this pandemic are extremely appreciated. Thanks a lot for all your work.
It’s extremely important to reconsider opening religious services. Climbing gyms have not been closed under the understanding that they follow all safety measures. Churches were even more thorough and it was safer to attend Mass than go to the gym.
If gyms that follow the rules can be open, it’s only fair to allow churches that follow more stringent rules to also be open.
It’s necessary to re-evaluate the decision of keeping churches closed: our spiritual needs are now urgent. It’s faith and hope that keep us positive in this pandemic.
Pedro Kauffmann Amaral
Vancouver
Father Hawkswell’s Feb. 15 article “I said I was sorry, what more do I have to do?” dealt with one side of the wrongdoing, that of the wrongdoer.
Several years ago, I was victimized and maligned by written emails based on lies. I struggled and was able to finally forgive the senders by staying calm, quiet, and not dignifying the lies they wrote against me. (I am sure they knew the truths and were aware of their wrongdoing.)
My faith has allowed me to forgive, but I still struggle to forget the pain they caused me, especially since I see no remorse from them. They are all practising Catholics and I’m sure they have confessed their wrongdoing. I pray they have been forgiven for bearing false witness, but does Father Hawkswell have any thoughts on the fact confession helps the sinner but does not help the victim?
Jordan Faye
Victoria
In his Feb. 1 column “Listen to your neighbour’s story: Pope Francis,” Paul Schratz quotes the Pope as saying we need to listen to others.
It is too bad the Pope didn’t take his own advice when Cardinal Zen of Hong Kong tried to get a meeting with him to tell him of the disastrous effect his policy on China is having on the Catholic faithful there, or that he chose to ignore the dubia questions presented to him by four cardinals, the result of which has caused confusion and division in the Church.
Michael Battle
Burnaby
