We don’t need churches to pray

Readers of this column know that I’m not one to start trouble. The last thing I want, especially during this Christmas season, is to get crosswise with Cardinal Wilton regory, archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington, about an issue over which he might rightfully claim superiority i.e., praying.

regory sued District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser, a Democrat, and the city over restrictions imposed upon indoor gatherings, including at houses of worship, because of the coronavirus pandemic. He asserted that praying apart does not provide the same spiritual nourishment as praying together and that the city’s restrictions infringe upon the free exercise of religion.

The lawsuit has been settled. Limits on indoor worship have been modified. Now the terms are set at 2 0 people or 2 percent of seating capacity, whichever is smaller.

I, an acknowledged sinner who falls short of the glory of od, still must weigh in on the issue of praying apart vs. praying alone.

Now, I get the part about regory’s saying a 0-person cap on religious services could be viewed as discriminatory because the order allowed big-box stores, retailers, liTuor stores and other “essential” venues to operate without similar limits. Religious worship, regory contends, should be treated the same way.

Indeed, this pandemic has found me in big-box stores, and also liTuor stores well, Must two , where I have shared space with more than 0 people. Of course, we were wearing masks and doing our best to keep six feet apart. So, I understand why the archbishop would want to know why his congregants should be turned away if they are willing to take similar precautions in their churches.

I also understand why the District has tried to impose science-based measures to protect the personal safety of residents and visitors. Covid- 9 is hammering this city.

The District’s reported data as of Thursday included 2 0 new positive coronavirus cases, bringing the District’s overall positive case total to 2 , . Tragically, District residents have lost their lives due to covid- 9, including five on Wednesday.

Epidemiological data show that gatherings are significant contributors to the transmission of the coronavirus.

To contend that spiritual nourishment is received only if you assemble in church, sit in pews and collectively engage in the liturgy, that is a bridge too far for some faith traditions.

Churches in the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, as well as other religious denominations, are doing their part to help contain the spread of covid- 9 by suspending in-house services. Many, like my own, have switched to virtual services where Mass and Communion are still observed.

I come away feeling spiritually nourished. It may not show. But I do.

Of course, there is a difference between engaging in the flesh vs. connecting through a broadcast medium. I miss gathering with others sometimes.

But the essential connection is the link with the Almighty, not the person sitting in the next pew. That conduit is available in church, at home, at any time, anywhere.

I hasten to note that Cardinal regory is not a cleric parochially focused only on Catholic matters. I know he shares Bowser’s concern for the health and safety of all our communities.

I read in Matthew , “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing . . . on the street corners to be seen by men. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your )ather, who is unseen.”

With that in mind, perhaps praying apart is the same as praying together.

Besides, I’m not aware that od conducts head counts.