Catholic churches are reopening in Canada and around the world. I've noticed a few things that speak to a lack of separation of CHurch and state, and show the CHurch acquiescing to every request of the state without question and going overboard. Let me explain.
Churches were allowed to reopen about 6 weeks ago in Newfoundland, Canada. Unlike many other public places such as businesses, churches were some of the last places that were allowed to open. When they did finally open, they were limited to 50 total people in the church building. This is far less than the number allowed at other similarly-sized establishments. For example, the Basilica, which is one of the biggest churches in Canada, could only have 50 people.
Not only could they only have 50 people, they adhered to restrictions other places did not even consider. The church I attend has been following "protocols" far more strictly than anywhere else. You have to answer a survey each time you enter the building, then you have to wear your mask while you walk anywhere. When you sit, masks are optional because everyone is more than 6 feet apart with area cordoned off.
But one particularly strange part I found was the extreme lengths churches will go to announce every little detail of how to act while receiving communion, as if everyone is in constant danger. Again, nothing like this happens outside the church, such as in shopping areas and grocery stores. There is an announcement at the beginning of Mass, and then one right before communion. And it's not a small, short announcement either. It's a long, detailed message going into every possible detail about maintaining distance, sanitizing hands, how to receive communion, etc.
Remember, in NL, we only have one active case, and that is very recent, and it is someone under the age of 19 who is a known person. And yet, as mentioned, the church adheres to these regulations with more fervor than anywhere else.
But what upsets me the most is that never in any other area does the local church broadcast specific regulations and procedures for anything else. There is never any mention of only Catholics in the state of Grace being allowed to receive communion. They are seemingly quite lax in that area. Yet, when the state asks them to make an announcement on Covid, they don't know how far to go. They go way above and beyond, even beyond the wildest dreams of the most cautious politician.
Why is this? Why do they only seem to place value on temporal things such as government announcements and seem to downplay the importance of eternal things? It seems to me there is far more risk in the latter.
I'm not saying don't make any messages concerning Covid, but I am saying make other announcements. Perhaps announcing that the church is a sacred place and that people should not whisper throughout the Mass. Perhaps mention that only Catholics in the state of Grace should receive communion. Maybe talk about confession from time to time.
We shouldn't just always kowtow to what the government says. Whatever happened to separation of Church and state? We are only reinforcing the idea that the state and all the earthly orders of politicians are more important than Jesus Christ and our eternal salvation.
