New Brunswick mandates COVID vaccine pass, but Catholic dioceses take differing approaches
The Diocese of Saint John, New Brunswick has said proof of
vaccination will not be required for Mass or the other sacraments,
though it will comply with provincial rules requiring such proof for
other indoor gatherings. Other dioceses in the province, those of
Moncton and Edmundston, have said they will require proof of vaccination
to attend Mass.
“No person will be turned away from Mass, nor any other Sacrament,”
Natasha Mazerolle, communications director for the Diocese of Saint
John, told CNA Sept. 22. New provincial rules requiring proof of
vaccination will, however, apply to other indoor events at diocesan
churches, like conferences, workshops and fundraisers, she said.
“The Diocese
of Saint John continues to do its utmost to protect both the physical
and spiritual needs of its faithful,” said Mazerolle. “It takes the
directives of public health seriously and understands the need to make
sacrifices to protect the common good, and to be prudent in slowing the
spread of the virus. It also recognizes that the faithful are not to be
excluded from the Sacraments for any reason, and that the Eucharist is
the source and summit of our faith (and indeed what is most needed to
help us face these challenging times).”
Mazerolle said “worship services (including Catholic Mass) are not
directly mentioned in the government regulation.” She added “an
individual’s right to practice their religion is protected under the
Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.”
Under canon law, well-disposed Catholics typically have the right to receive the sacraments at appropriate times.
“The Code of Canon Law is very clear on this,” said Mazerolle, citing
canon 843, which says, “Sacred ministers cannot deny the sacraments to
those who seek them at appropriate times, are properly disposed, and are
not prohibited by law from receiving them.”
Provincial government rules which took effect Sept. 21 required proof
of vaccination to access certain events, services, and businesses.
Violation of the law could result in fines between $172 and $772
Canadian, about $135 to $605.
The rules apply to those 12 and older, including those seeking to
attend “indoor organized gatherings.” Explicitly mentioned are weddings,
funerals, conferences, workshops, and parties, excepting parties at a
private dwelling.
“The regulations published on the Government of New Brunswick’s
website do not mention worship services or Mass,” Mazerolle said. “While
there can be many interpretations, the diocese defers to what has been
officially written in the regulation under the Public Health Act and
posted on the Government of New Brunswick’s website.”
In a Sept. 17 letter,
Bishop Christian Riesbeck of Saint John pledged close cooperation with
public health authorities to implement parish-level policies that will
“ensure that all faithful can continue to worship Jesus and receive the
Sacraments in full safety and care for one another and the common good.”
“Vaccination is proving to be the best way to reduce the spread of
Covid-19 and its variants, which are on the rise and threaten to
overwhelm the hospital system, seriously impacting the level of care
medical professionals can provide to the ill and the vulnerable in our
province,” Riesbeck said.
The bishop cited the Vatican COVID-19 Commission’s joint document
with the Pontifical Academy for Life, which said, “we consider it
important that a responsible decision be taken in this regard, since
refusal of the vaccine may also constitute a risk to others.”
“I encourage you in charity to be vaccinated against Covid-19 if you
have not already done so,” he said, referring by name to the Covid-19
vaccines which have received full approval from Health Canada.
“I once again urge each person to prayerfully consider vaccination,
and to discern a decision that will best protect themselves, their loved
ones, and the common good,” Riesbeck continued. “We also recognize that
the decision to vaccinate must never be coerced, and that some
individuals, for matters of health or conscience, may choose not to
receive the vaccine.”
The bishop’s letter encouraged Catholics to “remain ever conscious of
our mission to spread the joy of the Gospel throughout our diocese and
face these new challenges with our gaze fixed firmly on Jesus, who walks
with us and never abandons us.”
The Diocese of St. John serves over 115,000 Catholics at 28 parishes,
St. Thomas University Fredericton, and an Ordinariate community. Its
territory borders the U.S. state of Maine.
New Brunswick’s total population numbers over 750,000 people, about half of whom are Catholic.
