May 7th, 2020

Dear Bishops,

On May 1st, Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced the plan for reopening of the province of Ontario, Canada. He provided a “new framework for reopening” involving 3 stages, each lasting 2-4 weeks. Although your local government will likely have slightly different plans for reopening, I am offering this letter from my medical perspective for your consideration. 

According to the province, the stages for reopening are as follows:

Stage 1: Select workplaces that can “immediately meet” public health guidance and some outdoor spaces such as parks. 

Stage 2: More workplaces based on risk assessments, which could include some service industries and retail; and some larger gatherings. 

Stage 3: Further relax restrictions on public gatherings and open all work places “responsibly.” Even in this phase, however, “large gatherings such as concerts and sporting events will continue to be restricted for the foreseeable future.” 

Is your Diocese considering how it can respond to this framework with a stepwise reopening of the Sacramental life of the Church? As a physician, and faithful Catholic, I humbly submit the following suggestions:

Stage 1: Baptism, Confession, and Anointing of the Sick be restored in a way that can  “immediately meet” public health guidance.

Stage 2: Holy Mass be restored with appropriate physical distancing. 

Stage 3: Adjustment of the size of communal worship based on public health recommendations.

I firmly believe that, as the Catholic Church, we can be the leader in demonstrating how an organized and obedient “corporate body” responds to this situation. This will necessitate modifications to our behavior which could include:

  • Changes to physical proximity during Confession 
    • Maintenance of physical distancing and privacy (nave specific)
  • Changes to allow for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to be worn by priests and deacon during pastoral care visits
  • Changes to accommodate the vulnerable
    • Additional Masses for the vulnerable 
    • Naves at 25% capacity with physical distancing markers visible and explained
  • Changes to how we enter and exit the nave
    • Well marked, single point entry and exit (except in emergencies)
  • Changes to how we receive Holy Communion 
    • Kneeling (to accommodate plexiglass), distributed by priest or deacon using Communion Host tongs
    • Plexiglass “sneeze guards” installed on kneelers at the head of the central aisle

Please consider the above and know that I am available to assist with any medical advice required to, either meet the requirements of the government, or request appropriate clarity that recognizes the authority of the Church to worship.  Hopefully, the Church can move forward as the truly “essential service” that it is for the life of the world. 

Sincerely in Christ, 

Dr. Martin Owen MD

Canadian Catholic Physicians

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