Archdiocese of Vancouver questioning why religious groups unable to gather amid new pandemic restrictions

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — The Archdiocese of Vancouver says it’s disheartened by the provincial health restrictions as in-person mass has been cancelled in B.C.

Melissa Godbout tells NEWS 1130 the church is feeling singled out, saying churches haven’t been a key transmitter of COVID-19.

“We are surprised by these closures because we’ve heard of almost no outbreaks related to worship services. We haven’t been given any numbers to explain these closures. So we’re just as surprised as everybody else,” she says.

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Last week masks were made mandatory in all in-person public spaces in B.C., and all gatherings under 50 that were previously allowed are not anymore.

“It does seem that religious institutions are not being treated with the same consideration as secular ones. There’s definitely a disparity here which has not been explained,” Godbout says. “We would love to hear further clarification from the government on these closures as to why they have been ordered, particularly for our religious organizations.”

Catholics will have to attend mass virtually this Sunday and for the upcoming weeks in an effort to limit the spread of the virus.

“Thankfully, we have online options available and we encourage Catholics across the province to watch Mass, but it is just not the same as being able to celebrate in person with the congregation and receive the sacrament, so this is tough for all of us.”

– With files from Hana Mae Nassar