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Bishop urges local celebrations to be held virtually during provincial lockdown

Calling it a 'huge sacrifice for our people' Bishop Thomas Dowd is requesting local parishioners to comply with provincial guidelines
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As Ontario moves through a state of emergency during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Bishop of the Diocese of Sault Ste. Marie, Thomas Dowd, issued a statement Thursday evening asking local churches to suspend all public celebrations in compliance with provincial stay at home guidelines.

“I know this is a huge sacrifice for our people. This difficult decision was made after consulting with the public health authorities as well as our diocesan College of consultors and regional leaders,” Bishop Dowd explained. “We want to do our part to help protect the public.”

Though some church gatherings are allowed with restrictions in place, the hope is that those services be held virtually for the time being.

“The priests are also still encouraged to celebrate masses for broadcast from within their churches, whether online or via FM radio,” said Bishop Dowd.

“The pastoral care of the people of our diocese must continue despite the stay at home order. Parishes are exhorted to continue to provide, via telephone or online means, services such as pastoral counselling, catechism, times of fellowship and faith sharing, pastoral visits and outreach, opportunities to pray together, and so on.” These directives are subject to modification as the pub