VANCOUVER -- Public health officials in B.C. have extended the existing bans on events including public Masses until Jan. 8, meaning no public in-person Christmas or New Year’s Masses this year.

OTTAWA -- The COVID-19 pandemic may have forced the Catholic Church in Canada to significantly change the way it operates, but the far ranging impact of the global health crisis has reinforced and strengthened the Church’s commitment to its mission, said Archbishop Richard Gagnon.

MANILA, Philippines -- The Philippine government issued new orders restricting movement in an effort to control a spike in COVID-19, resulting in 10 dioceses suspending public Masses.

TUCSON, Ariz. -- Tucson Bishop Edward J. Weisenburger announced July 1 that state health officials have "strongly recommended" the suspension of public worship and that he agrees the recommendation is a wise course of action.

It won’t be a normal Sunday by any stretch of the imagination, but for priests across Ontario over the weekend of June 20-21 there will be a beautiful sight in front of them: a live congregation.

Despite the go-ahead to begin celebrating Mass on June 12, Ontario dioceses continue to take a cautious approach to re-opening churches.

Ontario churches can resume celebrating public Masses after the provincial government lifted the blanket ban on services.

Is the closure of churches and the suspension of the public celebration of Holy Mass a religious liberty issue?

On May 14, Ontario Premier Doug Ford unveiled the first phase of the province’s cautious re-opening strategy. Approved businesses received the green light to resume operations if in compliance with the safety protocols advised by public health. 

It could be a year or longer before churches in Canada can begin welcoming large numbers of worshippers, said a member of the country’s Special Advisory Committee on COVID-19.

Our spiritual journey in Easter comes to an end with the celebration of Pentecost Sunday (May 31). Just as most Canadians celebrated the Solemnity of the Resurrection in the absence of our parish communities, most of us are also going to celebrate Pentecost without gathering face-to-face as a community.

As the world begins to stir from its pandemic hibernation, governments face the important question of how to accommodate houses of worship. At least, we hope they realize the question is important.

It was like a new beginning for Fr. Geoffrey Young and clergy in the Diocese of Saskatoon.

As Ontario and other provinces slowly begin to re-open a society that’s been in lockdown for more than two months, Church officials are well on their way in preparing for the lifting, or modifying, of the ban on large-scale gatherings like Mass celebrations.

The doors may be locked at St. Mary Immaculate Church in Elora, Ont., but Christ is still open and welcoming parishioners.