Mass, other services put on hold by diocese

The Diocese of London has cancelled all masses and services for Catholic churches in the region until at least April 30 in an effort to help combat COVID -19.

“The following directives, which include the temporary suspension of all public masses in our diocese and restrictions on the celebration of the other sacraments, will be hard on all of us,” Bishop Ronald Fabbro said in a news release issued Wednesday.

“The Eucharist and the sacraments are the very heart of our Catholic faith. After consulting with public health officials, however, we decided that it is our responsibility as citizens to work together with others in our communities to take measures to minimize the spread of COVID-19 and to care for those who are sick and most vulnerable as a result of this virus.”

During this time, funeral masses and luncheons will not be permitted. The Rite of Committal may be celebrated at the cemetery with immediate family members present. Funeral masses may be celebrated at a later date.

The Diocese of London recommends that any weddings already scheduled should be delayed. If a wedding is to proceed it will be limited to immediate family only up to the number of people allowed at social gatherings. Current provincial guidelines state that organized public events with more than 50 people are prohibited.

All baptisms are to be postponed until further notice and celebrations of first confession, first communion and confirmation will proceed “only when the danger of the virus is passed,” the release states.

All confessions are also cancelled with exceptions to be made in the case of danger of death.

The Roman Catholic Diocese of London in Southwestern Ontario has approximately 145 parishes and missions.

“We are making these sacrifices out of charity and for the sake of the common good,” Fabbro said. “I encourage all our faithful to be vigilant about personal cleanliness and keeping appropriate distances from others. Our priests, deacons, lay pastoral ministers and our faithful are reaching out to those in need at this difficult time, especially those who are elderly, vulnerable and isolated.”

Additional details are available at dol.ca.

DAN JANISSE Roman Catholic churches in Southwestern Ontario remain open for private prayer. At the Assumption Church in Windsor, one woman had the church to herself around noon on Sunday.