Places of worship across Alberta are taking different steps when it comes to limiting the spread of the COVID-19 outbreak.
Some have already shut down services or have been excusing seniors from attending mass, and others will be making a decision in the coming days.
Places of worship were initially exempt from Alberta’s ban on gatherings of more than 250 people, but on Sunday, Alberta’s top doctor said that’s no longer the case.
“We now have evidence that community transmission is occurring,” said Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Alberta’s chief medical officer of health.
“Effective immediately, all places of worship are now being asked to follow the same restrictions.”
David Cay, an associate pastor with the Lighthouse Community Church in Calgary, said his church has already cancelled in-person services — opting instead for a livestream.
“It felt like it was important to do our part in helping contain the spread,” Cay said.
“We felt like it was the best way to love our neighbours and love our communities.”
Cay said protecting seniors and children was a driving factor to cancel services.
“My parents are in their 60s right now, so I’m really worried about them,” said Cay. “I just think it is just the best thing to do and to do our part.”
He also hopes other preachers take similar steps to protect their congregations while still coming together during a tough time.
Anglican Diocese
On Saturday, the Anglican Diocese of Calgary announced on its website that all public services are suspended until March 31.
In a letter, Leighton Lee, the dean of Calgary, said the demographics of churchgoers factored into the decision.
“Please understand that this decision hasn’t been arrived at lightly,” said Lee.
“But given the fact … that many members of our congregations are part of the vulnerable sector, the only prudent response is to suspend services of worship. We have a duty to protect them.”
The Anglican Diocese of Edmonton has also posted on its website that churches will not be gathering for public worship for the next while.
It listed a number of churches that will be livestreaming services and linked to online sermons.
Catholic Diocese
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Calgary has cancelled all masses from March 17 until April 5, however churches will remain open.
Weekday masses will be livestreamed from St. Peter’s Church and will be recorded and posted for playback.
Sunday mass, meanwhile, will be livestreamed from St. Mary’s Cathedral with the bishop as celebrant.
Funeral masses may be celebrated in the parish church, but attendance is restricted to the immediate family.
The Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton has also cancelled public masses until further notice.
A statement on the organization’s website by Archbishop Richard W. Smith states that its primary concern must always be to “care for the spiritual, physical and mental health and well-being of our fellow parishioners and citizens.”
Instead, Smith encouraged people to tune in to daily mass on Salt+Light TV, Vision TV or online at dailytvmass.com/daily-tv-mass.
In addition, the archdiocese will livestream Sunday mass at 10:30 a.m. from St. Joseph’s Basilica.
Muslim community
Imams and members of Calgary’s Muslim community are meeting on Tuesday to decide if Friday prayers will be cancelled moving forward.
Jamal Hammoud, a senior imam in Calgary, said he expects prayers to be cancelled but that the mosque will remain open for community support.
In the meantime, an email from the Edmonton Council of Muslim Communities sent to members of the media said all mosques in that city will suspend their weekly Friday congregational prayers, effective immediately.
“The ECMC and the leadership of each associated mosque/institution will continue to monitor the situation relating to the provincial guidelines and stipulations on an ongoing basis throughout the city,” the email stated.