'Stay home': Omicron surge worries Calgary church over in-person services
There are no rules in Alberta preventing in-person religious gatherings this Christmas, but one Calgary church is calling on others to voluntarily cancel services due to the rise in Omicron cases.
Hillhurst United Church, in northwest Calgary, issued a statement on Wednesday saying that Christmas services could be risky in the current situation.
According to the Alberta government, the capacity of places of worship is limited to one-third fire code capacity and masks are mandatory.
However, they are not eligible to participate in Alberta's Restrictions Exemption Program, meaning participants are not required to show proof of vaccination to attend.
"Christmas services will serve as super spreader events across the province if they continue as planned," said Anne Yates-Laberge, Hillhurst United's executive director in a statement. "Especially without vaccination requirements for attendance."
As a result, the church says it is voluntarily cancelling its in-person Christmas services and opt for a virtual celebration instead.
"Our campaign is 'Give the gift of life this Christmas and stay home'," Yates-Laberge said.
Meanwhile, another Calgary church with differing views on the pandemic said Hillhurst's view on in-person gatherings is somewhat short-sighted.
"Christmas celebrates Jesus, the King of kings and Lord of lords, coming into the world to rescue people from sin and death," said Tim Stephens, pastor of Calgary's Fairview Baptist Church, in an email to CTV News. "He had a public ministry lasting three years that has impacted the world more than any other person. Nothing could stop Him from carrying out His ministry."
Stephens says the pandemic has had a lasting effect on many Calgary families, especially those who have lost their jobs due to public health restrictions. That's why he says Fairview will remain open to in-person services, including at Christmas, so it "will be a beacon of hope to so many."
"The world doesn't need another mandate, the world needs Jesus Christ," he said.
On Wednesday, Alberta Health announced the highest increase in COVID-19 cases since October with 1,346 new infections. There are more than 2,100 cases of Omicron, the new dominant strain in Alberta.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Poilievre will do 'anything to win,' must condemn Alex Jones endorsement: Trudeau
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is ramping up his attacks on Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre as he promotes his government's federal budget.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
New evidence challenges the Pentagon's account of a horrific attack as the U.S. withdrew from Afghanistan: CNN exclusive
New video evidence uncovered by CNN significantly undermines two Pentagon investigations into an ISIS-K suicide attack outside Kabul airport, during the American withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
All Alberta wildfires to date in 2024 believed to be human-caused: province
There are 63 wildfires burning in Alberta's forest protection area as of Wednesday morning and seven mutual aid fires, including one in the Municipal District of Peace.
Suspects waving weapons, smashing glass in Toronto jewelry store robbery caught on video
Arrests have been made after five men were captured on video rampaging through a jewelry store in Toronto, waving weapons and smashing glass display cases.
Pilot proposes to flight attendant girlfriend in front of passengers
A Polish pilot proposed to his flight attendant girlfriend during a flight from Warsaw to Krakow, and she said yes.
Ottawa injects another $36M into fund for those seriously injured or killed by vaccines
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Ex-SNC executive sentenced to prison term in bridge bribery case
The RCMP says a former SNC-Lavalin executive has been sentenced to three and a half years in prison in connection with a bribery scheme for a bridge repair contract in Montreal.