Thank you to everyone who contacted me with feedback about the possibility of a “no distancing” section at Masses, something that is only possible under the current law by confirming vaccination status. Having taken the pulse of the parish, we will not be moving forward with this initiative.
Objections fell into three primary camps: (1) those who, even though fully vaccinated, still did not feel safe sitting without distance and those who were concerned about Whatcom County’s “4th Wave”; (2) those who saw this as an undesirable form of segregation that may lead to judgment and ostracization; and (3) those who believe this is a portent of governmental overreach and a loss of religious liberty.
Ultimately, the question we were asking was which is worse: having to regularly seat people in the gym for Sunday Mass or having a no-distance section for fully vaccinated parishioners who volunteer to sit there? In a sinless world, where we did not judge or ostracize each other, I think sending people to the gym would be worse; however, I was convinced by the feedback that the feeling of segregation would be too much for our community right now and would create too many hard feelings. As one parishioner put it to me, “We have little to gain and a whole lot to lose.”
In matters of faith, I will never compromise, no matter who disagrees with me. It is my duty as pastor to protect the faith. But in matters like this one, which are prudential and allow for compromise, I am glad our parish can discuss important questions and determine what is right for us as a local community of Jesus’ followers. To be perfectly honest, I was deeply saddened – and for a while angry – when I saw the feedback come in and I realized just how divided we are under the surface. What I thought of as a small spark could very well have resulted in a huge conflagration. It is a failure of the Church that her people should be united only by a thread, and I rededicate myself as your pastor to working to rebuild and strengthen our unity in Christ. I know I need to continue to preach on the topics that divide us, so that we can discuss them and heal them, and I will likely start with a homily on religious liberty in the near future.
All of that said, the vast majority of parishioners on both sides of this question expressed great appreciation for my and the parish staff’s efforts throughout this pandemic, and that was incredibly encouraging for me to hear. Thank you for your patience and your faith during a very difficult fourteen months. It is our relationship with Jesus – lived out as a parish community – that has sustained us up until now, and it is that same faith that will continue to sustain us through whatever comes next.
Fr. Moore 