Christ Church Cathedral in Victoria will be the only Anglican church to welcome the faithful on Vancouver Island for the next 60 days.
Bishop Logan McMenamie of the Anglican Diocese of B.C. has ordered all churches in the diocese, which includes Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands, to close to help slow the spread of COVID-19. The only exception will be Christ Church Cathedral, which will be open for individual prayer and respite only. All other events and services have been cancelled until further notice.
“We know churches are places of refuge, celebration and commemoration for folks from all walks of life, but the church is more than just its buildings,” said McMenamie. “We are working collaboratively across our region to find creative ways to remain pastorally present to people at a time when the assurance offered in the life of faith is so critical.”
The closure includes all public worship and facility rentals, with the exception of daycare facilities being operated on church property. Although the cathedral remains open, parishioners who are sick, elderly or have existing health conditions are encouraged to stay home out of consideration for the well-being of others.
Staff will undertake increased cleaning protocols, such as more frequent wiping down of pews, said Rita Fichtner, office manager. Only the main body of the cathedral will be open, she said.
“It is important in times of uncertainty for people to have quiet places to collect their thoughts and gird themselves for the challenges of their day,” said Ansley Tucker, cathedral dean.
The cathedral will open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.
Masses at Catholic churches have been cancelled until further notice.
“Every church will have their own protocol when it comes to hours it will open to the public,” said Bishop Gary Gordon of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Victoria. “St. Andrew’s, for example, will open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily while parishioners to St. Peter’s in Nanaimo will be admitted individually.”
Even before this new liturgical directive worshippers have been cautious. Last Sunday’s service at St. Andrew’s Cathedral, which usually draws up to 800 people, only saw 180.
“People just stayed away on their own,” said Gordon.
He said baptisms will still take place, but attendance will be restricted to just the immediate family.
Funerals will continue, but there will be no receptions.
Priests will still be on call to visit hospitals to tend to the gravely ill.
Communion will continue, but communion hosts will be received on the hand, not the tongue.
Holy water will be removed from fonts, usually located at or near the entrance of churches.
