Adding Masses for vaccinated OK so more can access sacraments in ‘safety and unity’: Archbishop

Archbishop J. Michael Miller is urging pastors to do all they can to balance “safety and unity” as they respond to government restrictions on church attendance unless all worshippers are vaccinated. 

In a memo to priests Thursday, Archbishop Miller said his principal aim is “to give as much access as possible to the Sacraments (especially Holy Mass ) to the greatest number of people possible.”

With pastors struggling to make decisions on Mass attendance, the archbishop said they should be guided by maintaining “safety and unity,” while witnessing Christian love to the world “during difficult and polarizing times.”

B.C.’s public health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced a new health order Nov. 31 stating full attendance at worship services was conditional on everyone being vaccinated. Attendance would be limited to 50 per cent capacity otherwise.

Archbishop Miller responded two days later with a memo to priests asking them to avoid establishing “a segregated or divisive system for Mass attendance.” He suggested adding more Masses to accommodate people at up to 50 per cent capacity.

Parishes scrambled to decide how to respond with the approach of Christmas and larger attendance. Some planned to add Masses for vaccinated individuals. Others suggested they lacked the manpower to check vaccine status. Others considered scheduling a Christmas Mass with a vaccination requirement in order to fill the church. There was even erroneous speculation that the Sunday obligation was being lifted.

On Dec. 9, the Archbishop released a follow-up statement advising priests that as they make the sacraments widely available, “our guiding principle should be to do all we can to maintain both the safety and unity of the faithful, so we can witness to the world how we show Christian love for one another during difficult and polarizing times.” 

The statement, released through the Communications Office, said, “Building on the Archbishop’s letter dated December 2, 2021, as we prepare our hearts and our communities to celebrate the birth of Jesus, we look to welcoming more people to our parishes while caring for them during the pandemic. To this end the Archdiocese wants to provide more clarity and recommendations that respect the recently issued Public Health Order (“PHO”) and provide safety for parishioners, especially the most vulnerable and concerned.”

The memo said each parish must decide “how best to serve the needs of all parishioners in the coming weeks; not with a view to restriction or division, but with a sincere desire to see as many people as possible be able to participate in the source and summit of our faith.”

The memo recommended:

• Adding Masses to keep attendance under the 50 per cent threshold
• Adding a Mass for vaccinated-only worshipers “as a way to help those who may be immune-compromised, medically at risk, or deeply concerned for their safety.” 
• Livestreaming Masses to overflow crowds in a church hall or parish building.

The memo acknowledged that Christmas Masses pose a special challenge and urged priests to maintain “a spirit of openness and unity” as they inform parishioners about Masses and whether attendance at any particular service is limited to 50 per cent capacity or is limited to 50 per cent capacity or to vaccinated individuals.