Toronto Public Health's attack on Religious Freedom: "SUSPEND all communion related activities..."

We have written and commented on the illegal and unconstitutional activities of Toronto Public Health (itself an appendage of the Board of Health, as appointed by the leftist Toronto City Council). Toronto Public Health does not have the authority to impose a ban on Holy Communion. In fact, its own Guidelines refer back to the Guidelines issued by Ontario Public Health (which it, in turn must be interpreted according the Law, O. Reg. 52/20). The Law is specific: 

Indoor wedding, funeral or religious service, rite or ceremony

6. (1) This section applies with respect to gatherings for the purposes of a wedding, a funeral or a religious service, rite or ceremony if the gathering is held in a building or structure other than a private dwelling.

(2) Clause 2 (1) (c) does not apply to a person who attends a gathering to which this section applies if the following conditions are met:

1. The persons conducting the wedding, funeral, service, rite or ceremony must ensure that the number of persons occupying any room in the building or structure while attending the gathering does not exceed 30 per cent of the capacity of the particular room.

2. All persons attending the gathering must remain at least two metres apart from each other and from persons conducting the wedding, funeral, service, rite or ceremony unless they are members of the same household.

3. The persons conducting the wedding, funeral, service, rite or ceremony must ensure that it is conducted in compliance with the advice, recommendations and instructions of public health officials, including any advice, recommendations or instructions on physical distancing, cleaning or disinfecting.

4. The persons conducting the wedding, funeral, service, rite or ceremony must ensure that any washrooms that have been made available to persons attending the gathering are cleaned and disinfected as frequently as is necessary to maintain a sanitary environment.

There is NO mention of Holy Communion. Public health officials are given authority ONLY over "physical distancing, cleaning or disinfecting". In fact, we know this is true as other jurisdictions outside of Toronto are distributing Holy Communion in the traditional manner and they are NOT being raided by the police. It is UNCONSTITUTIONAL for any government, or a proxy bureaucrat to change, alter, or in any way revise religious rites, as they pertain to religious practice. The government may legislate that "EXIT" signs must be placed in buildings that have public access (such as churches, mosques, temples and synagogues) but they NO RIGHT to directly or indirectly interfere, obstruct or change (either in addition or detraction) in ANY manner with the religious rites themselves. Ontarians are blessed with Premier Doug Ford who is neither an anti-Christian or anti-religious bigot. 

Nonetheless, the Ontario Law has not incommoded rogue bureaucrats, such as those from Toronto Public Health, from using psychological intimidation and threats of closure against local Churches. They have their guns specifically aimed at Latin-Rite Catholics and the Greek Orthodox. Cardinal Collins himself said on video that he was BULLIED by Toronto Public Health into banning reception of Holy Communion in the normal manner (that is, on the tongue). 

The Russian Orthodox Archbishop of San Francisco has denounced this persecution of religion that is now worldwide, (such as the horrors who govern California, Illinois, and Michigan) comparing it to Soviet-era oppression and tactics. How tragic that the vast majority of Catholic bishops have remained silent. Alas, we know that they are silent as they are taking billions from Caesar. They have been joined by "rapture" Darbyite sects who have long ago betrayed Jesus Christ.

Once again, let there be no mistake. The City of Toronto issued a "ban", but also knew that its ban could easily be litigated as illegal. Therein lies the rub. Within this context of a very secular city, a very hard-left dominated City Council, an aggressive media that is virulently anti-Christian, the Cardinal decided to dispense with defending religious liberty and took the now proverbial knee. Bowing to their pressure, he stripped Catholics of their rights, and set a dangerous precedent for State meddling in religious ceremonies. 

What could be next? The State changing texts, State approved religious services in the interests of "public harmony and diversity"? Do not be naive into thinking it can't happen. Freedom of speech already does not exist in Canada, and freedom of religion is next.