Posted on 04/16/2003 12:48:59 PM PDT by Brian S
TORONTO (Reuters) - The SARS outbreak in Canada is forcing Roman Catholics to change centuries-old rituals for Easter ceremonies this week while many people are avoiding public gatherings or even taking mass transit, officials said on Wednesday.
Church leaders decided to adjust services that require communal drinking and physical contact -- a key component of the communion ritual -- and urged people to stay home if necessary in a bid to contain the pneumonia-like virus.
"The outbreak of SARS has created an environment where people just don't want to gather," said one Toronto businessman who said he would not attend any religious services this week.
Church groups became more alarmed by SARS after 500 members of a charismatic Roman Catholic group were sent into quarantine this week when 29 people and two doctors who treated them were diagnosed as probable or suspect cases.
Toronto's Roman Catholic leaders suspended the practice of sipping wine from a communal cup and said the traditional wafer will be placed on churchgoers' hands and not on their tongues.
"The preservation of life is a primary obligation," said Monsignor John Murphy of the Catholic Archdiocese of Toronto, in a letter outlining the changes to Toronto pastors.
In addition, confession will take place outside the confessional booth, adherents will bow instead of shaking hands and instead of kissing the crucifix, people are being asked to bow or genuflect instead.
"We've been advising all denominations...when it comes to sharing any kinds of spoons or dishes or chalices, that should be avoided if at all possible," said John Letherby, a spokesman for Ontario's Ministry of Health
Easter, the most important week in the Christian calendar, marks the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Under normal circumstances, many adherents would attend masses on Thursday, Friday and Sunday.
This week is also the start of the Passover but a spokesman for the Canadian Jewish Congress said he did not expect the outbreak would dampen attendance at synagogues.
"There may be some individuals who feel uncomfortable," said Howard English. "But I don't expect the orthodox members in our community would refrain from going to the synagogue because of SARS."
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome has killed 13 people in Canada, all of them in Ontario. Canada is the only country outside of Asia where people have died from the outbreak. Across the country, there are currently 296 probable or suspected cases.
The virus, which originated in southern China's Guangdong province, has killed 159 people and infected nearly 3,500 worldwide. The virus seems to spread in water droplets, such as those produced when people cough, sneeze or talk.
UNDER CONTROL
Toronto health officials raised precaution levels up a notch on Tuesday, telling people to stay home if they exhibited any signs of the illness, which include fever, dry cough or muscle aches and pains.
Health officials, battling to contain the disease which first surfaced in Toronto in March, insist they have not lost control even though it has now spread to the religious group.
"We're not panicked. We're not asking people to panic," said Dr. James Young, Ontario's commissioner of public safety.
Thousands have gone into voluntary quarantine in the Toronto area, at least two major conventions have been canceled and some foreign countries have advised their citizens to avoid traveling to the city.
Toronto residents are even avoiding riding the transit system. Transit authorities said they lost 750,000 riders in just two weeks after the outbreak. About 1.3 million people use the system on a daily basis.
In other words, it's FUBAR.
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