Catholic Vancouver November 22, 2020
Crowd prays for return to worship at spontaneous cathedral gathering
By Agnieszka Ruck
About 150 Catholics gathered across from Holy Rosary Cathedral Sunday afternoon, praying for churches to re-open after the B.C. government suspended all religious services.
Tim Bonner said he was disappointed with the government’s health order Thursday to close churches until at least Dec. 7. When he heard a spontaneous prayer event was being planned outside the cathedral, he joined with members of his family.
The vigil was “a chance to pray and make public our wish to have the Mass again.”
He said participants came from as far as Abbotsford for the peaceful prayer event, which was promoted by word of mouth and social media.
Another participant who led the crowd in praying the Rosary outside the cathedral described the event as a pilgrimage rather than a protest.
“There’s lots of talk about protest these days. Everyone seems to have this desire to go protesting,” said the man, who did not want to be named.
“My intention was to show that as Catholics from a long line of religious tradition, in times of trial, in times of difficulty, it is ultimately prayer and penance and pilgrimage that are when our prayers are answered.”
He was expecting a small gathering and was amazed when an estimated 150 people participated, among them many families with young children.
“I’m very grateful to everybody who came and made the time and effort to come and pray today for this important cause.”
He described the organization of the event as a “small group of devoted Catholics,” who came together for “a joint effort from all corners of the diocese.”
It was also “providential that it happens to be the Feast of Christ the King, so thanks be to God for that.”
Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB, has said he was caught off guard by the government’s order that church services be suspended and has received a “mass of emails” from Catholics who are confused or angry about the new restrictions.
“It’s just puzzling that . . . no evidence was offered at the press conference about why religious gatherings were in some ways singled out,” he said, adding
He said there has been no follow-up clarification from health authorities and the archdiocese will be seeking “further clarification of the mandates.”
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