Preventative coronavirus measures now in place at Saskatoon Catholic churches

New rules have been put in place for Catholic parishioners in Saskatoon, to avoid undue risk from coronavirus.

Father Geoffrey Young, pastor at Our Lady of Lourdes parish, explains that effective immediately, the office of the bishop has directed member churches to make some temporary changes.

“He’s asked that we suspend communion from the chalice until this virus passes. Also to kind of limit contact throughout the mass, particularly…for the ‘sign of peace.’  He’s asked just that we instead either omit the sign of peace or just give a bow or just a greeting rather than a handshake.”

Additionally, holy water will be removed from all church fonts or basins.

“People could bring their own fresh water, bottle of water, and ask the priest to bless it and take it home,” he adds. “As far as having permanent water at the back of the church as people come in, he’s asked to remove that.”

Young believes the last time similar measures were put in place, occurred during the SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) outbreak in 2003.

“Most Catholics, they understand this is sort of a temporary measure,” he says.

The rules are expected to remain in place until further notice, and will likely include Easter services as well.

“We want to do our best to try and keep people safe.”

The Saskatoon Diocese has been coordinating its efforts with the Archdiocese of Regina to monitor the situation regularly.

About one-third of Saskatchewan’s population identifies as Catholic or Roman Catholic.