B.C. religious leaders wonder when ban on in-person services will be lifted

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — Some religious leaders are seeking more clarity from Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix now that current public safety orders have been extended indefinitely.

One of the groups hoping a ban on in-person services will be lifted is the St. Thomas More Catholic Lawyers Guild of B.C.

Committee member Robert Piasentin wants to know why it’s okay to watch the Super Bowl at a pub or take a day trip to Whistler, but not attend mass anywhere in British Columbia.

“So you’ll see things like the situation at Whistler. There seems to be a lot of public gathering that would, in theory, seem to be counter to the public health orders. Gatherings at pubs and restaurants and things like that which are supposed to be family-only and in small numbers, but there is potential that that’s not actually happening,” he said.

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• Visit, don’t vacation: Dr. Henry says it’s still okay to go to Whistler

• As B.C. marks one year of COVID-19, Whistler has become one of the province’s latest hotspots

On Friday, Henry said skiing was not problematic in itself.

It’s the ‘befores and the afters,’ the parties, and the getting together, and the social gathering — those have never been acceptable,” she said Friday, noting that it’s still okay to go to Whistler, as long as you aren’t spending the night.

Piasentin says he agrees being able to eat out with your family and spend time outdoors is important. But he feels the mental health of church-goers is also important.

“Being unable to give us that outlet to make sure we’re staying safe and healthy through every aspect of our life — not just the physical side,” he said.

“We’re heading into the most important season of the year for the Catholic church”

Piasentin adds his community’s hope is fading anything will change before April.

“We’re heading into the most important season of the year for the Catholic church and that is Easter season with Lent begins next week. We’ve gone through Christmas without being able to celebrate,” he said.

The guild is not yet part of a legal challenge launched last month by the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms based on the possible violation of Charter rights, but Piasentin says Dr. Henry and Minister Dix have not yet responded to a letter asking for church services to resume, even if attendance is capped at no more than 50 people.

STM Letter to Province re restrictions on religious gatherings 23Dec20

 

“It feels like there’s a value judgment being placed on what is important. Is attending a restaurant to watch football games [important]? Physical exercise is important and allowing opportunities — especially outside — that’s important. But likewise, we’ve seen ample evidence of mental illness arising due to all these issues around the isolation … There haven’t really been very many cases reported with respect to instances at religious services and yet, we’re unable to have religious services of any sort and we haven’t been given the proper justification for why that’s allowed — especially given the fact that it’s a Charter-protected right which is a bit of a challenge,” Piasentin said.

He believes most religious leaders support doing whatever it takes to keep everyone safe, but the application of the rules needs to be fair.

“I don’t know what the numbers were from Super Bowl Sunday, but I anticipate there were probably a fair number of people out at various pubs and stuff watching the football game. Alternatively, if the province feels that you can have those types of events safely, then how is it not the case that you can do that in a church environment where you have very few people? It’s very easy to socially distance. It’s that inconsistency, ultimately, which creates a big challenge for us.”

As for people suggesting you can still pray in your own home or hold services online, he says certain sacraments in the Catholic church — including Communion — require your physical presence.