OTTAWA — Canadians of faith are turning toward God to help them get through the uncertainty that the COVID-19 pandemic is causing across a country where houses of worship have been shut down to adhere to public health regulations.

“With the COVID-19 outbreak threatening the health and financial wellbeing of residents from coast to coast, it is perhaps unsurprising that many Canadians have turned to a higher power a little more often than they normally would,” according to an Angus Reid Institute survey released just before Easter.

“In times of crisis, frustration and trial, many Canadians turn to faith for comfort or support,” said the survey, which was done in conjunction with the religious think tank Cardus, said.

The survey indicated that 22 per cent of Canadians are turning to prayer more often than they normally would for spiritual and emotional sustenance during these trying times.

According to the survey, “among Canadians who pray (59 per cent of the population overall), more than one in five say they are turning to prayer more since the COVID-19 pandemic gripped the country” and “for those more steeped in faith – prayer has been an important source of relief and comfort in dealing with feelings of isolation, depression and uncertainty.”

“Whether they’re praying more, or the same amount, those who have a deep religious faith are near unanimous in saying that this discipline has helped them overcome COVID-19-driven fear and anxiety,” the survey said.

The same is true for the “privately faithful,” those for whom faith plays an important role in their lives but who do not necessarily attend religious services and instead practise their faith in a private manner.

The survey also found almost 20 per cent of Canadians say they or members of their families have been helped by their religious communities during these unprecedented times of physical isolation. 

The fact that Canadians of faith are turning to their faith for spiritual and emotional support and have also benefited from direct support from their religious communities during the world-wide COVID-19 pandemic is not surprising to the executive vice-president of Cardus.

“I’m not surprised that almost one out of five Canadians report being assisted by the hands of faith groups in their communities over the last four weeks,” said Ray Pennings.

“Throughout history, faith groups have been among the first to mobilize to assist in a time of crisis,” he said. “During a pandemic, there are numerous opportunities to fulfill their mandate for love of neighbour.”

Canadian Catholic News