While health measures still limit the number of people who can meet in a place of worship, a church in Saint-Léonard has decided to disregard the rules in force and welcome its faithful back to its home. local.
Over the weekend, around 100 worshipers gathered inside the Good News Chapel, located on Couture Boulevard.
“Honestly, we don’t think what the government has done is right. You treat people differently depending on the type of activity they’re trying to do. I do not think that our laws and our legal system allow this kind of distinction ”, explained, in a interview with CTV, Mark Sorella, secretary of the church board.
He justified his disobedience by noting that schools can accommodate students in their classes, and that the same rules should apply to places of worship.
The pastor of the church, Steve Gesualdi, said he was fully aware that this reopening could have legal consequences.
The current rules allow places of worship to admit an audience of up to 10 people.
At the time of going online, it had not yet been possible to speak to a representative from Good News Chapel.
An “inexcusable” gesture
For Dominic Perri, city councilor in Saint-Léonard, the church’s decision is “inexcusable”. He recalls that his district is one of the most affected by the pandemic.
“Public health has given clear instructions. They are not a whim! It’s to try to curb the pandemic, ”he protested.
He indicates, however, that the borough has no real powers in the face of the situation. “There are instructions from Public Health at the provincial level and the police must enforce these rules. We in the borough can’t do much, ”he laments.
The SPVM explains that it cannot comment on “a particular case where the rules of the decree in force have been violated in a place of worship.”
By e-mail, a representative of the Service pointed out that complaints continue to be checked by the police, and that they can issue a report if an offense is found.
“We also wish to recall that the ban on gatherings of ten people or more is applied in a fair and impartial manner with all communities, regardless of their origin or the religion they practice”
The Montreal Regional Public Health Directorate (DRSP) indicates that the file is not its responsibility. “We respect people’s right to go and meditate, but in compliance with health rules,” adds Eric Forest, spokesperson for the DRSP.
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