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PASTORAL LETTERS

A r c h b i s h o p o f M o n t r e a l

Pastoral Letter

Jesus is knocking at the door of our heart

March 20, 2020

Chers frères et chères sœurs,

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Over the past week, day after day, there has been a gradual escalation of the fight
against COVID-19. In the diocese, we started by suspending Sunday masses as of last week-
end. The very next day, Monday, we announced the cancellation of all weekday masses, as
well as all pastoral and liturgical events.

From the outset, it has been all about avoiding different kinds of public gatherings
and maintaining physical distancing, about one to two metres. Regarding the acceptable
size of groups, directives went from a 250-person limit to 50, then even a minimum
number of participants was being discouraged. This is why, knowing that a given church
could still be open and visited by several people at the same time, I now ask that all our
places of worship – churches and chapels – without exception, be closed to the
public until further notice.

All of us find this restriction on church access very painful, because each church is
a house of prayer. Just think of the elderly who have always received the Eucharist. How
do we connect with them? How do all those affected by this pandemic connect with their
parishes? Together, let us find innovative ways to be present and united in the mission; let’s
share the good ideas generated with one another.

(cont’d)

Collection of texts by the Most Rev. Christian Lépine 240