By Deacon Eric Gurash
In recent days secular and social media channels have been awash in reports tracking the spread of a new strain of Novel Coronavirus that has been officially named COVID-19. With beginnings in the open markets of Wuhan, China in December of 2019, this virus, which is one strain of several coronavirus strains responsible for usually mild cold or flu-type symptoms, has now surfaced in more than 80 countries world-wide.
While the most severe outbreaks remain overseas in places like China, Italy, and more recently in Iran and the Holy Land, western Catholic media outlets, commentators and dioceses have been discussing when and to what extent certain common liturgical practices ought to be restricted. These practices involve those aspects of the Mass wherein personal contact between participants is often made such as the reception of communion where the Precious Body is placed on the hand or received on the tongue, the sharing from common cups, and the shaking of hands at the sign of peace.
In Canada, while government health authorities continue to rate the risk as low, Catholic Bishops in the interest of prudence have released a variety of responses to their respective dioceses. Most recently, in joint consultations between the Archdiocese of Regina and the Diocese of Saskatoon, Bishop Mark Hagemoen and Archbishop Donald Bolen have issued guidelines calling for, temporary restrictions around liturgical practice.
These include;
- Replacing handshaking at the sign of Peace with a bow and spoken word of peace.
- Communion being distributed under the species of bread alone.
- The recommended use of hand washing with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizers for parishioners in general and ministers of communion in particular.
Consistent recommendations from Public Health Canada, the Saskatchewan Health Authority, and the WHO continue to indicate that the best ways to prevent the spread of the virus is regular hand washing with soap and water, and for those who experience symptoms of illness to remain at home.
The offices of the Archdiocese of Regina continue to monitor the situation on a daily basis and are committed to providing updates as needed. The full text of Archbishop Donald Bolen’s letter regarding temporary liturgical restrictions can be found here.
Additional Resources:
COVID-19 Factsheet English
COVID-19 Factsheet French
Public Health Canada COVID-19 Updates English
Public Health Canada COVID-19 Updates French
Saskatchewan Health Authority COVID-19 Updates English
Saskatchewan Health Authority COVID-19 Updates French
