The Eucharist in other parts of Canada has been and continues to be celebrated and live-streamed. For example, The Right Reverend William Cliff, Bishop of Brandon celebrates a live-streamed Eucharist Sundays from St Matthew’s Cathedral, Brandon. Regarding a decision of such weight, the bishops should have acted in concert with the bishops of every diocese across Canada. The action is a negative and unhelpful sign of the autocephalous nature and polity of the Anglican Church.

The argument for ‘a fast’ on the grounds that the Church community is unable to gather for liturgy – and the Eucharist is The central and defining liturgy of the Church – falls apart considering worship services of prayer, music and preaching are live-streamed. If the Spirit gathers us in community to celebrate Eucharist, it follows that the same Spirit draws us together to share in non-eucharistic worship as well.

If the Eucharist should not be celebrated because the community cannot physically be gathered by the Spirit, the principle would dictate that non-eucharistic services should likewise not happen, nor be live-streamed, given that the community cannot physically be together. Doesn’t the same Spirit gather God’s people together for prayer, teaching and witness as for Eucharist?

In times of pandemic, we do not gather for liturgy out of concern and care for the wider community’s health and welfare. This is entirely the right thing to do. We should only gather at the right time when the virus has abated or appears under medical (and scientific) control.

The mandated ‘fast’ is indicative of the lack of a cohesive sacramental theology. It also is out of step and not in keeping with the near two-hundred-year-old Liturgical Movement which has restored the centrality of Eucharistic liturgy within the Anglican Church and other Churches under the gentle guidance of the Holy Spirit.

You and I are ordained to the sacramental priesthood. We engage not in magic nor fantasy when presiding at the Eucharist. Every priest learns quickly that presiding is not all about ‘me,’ my particular gifts and what I am feeling. You have, no doubt, stood like me at the altar at times feeling tired, empty and cold. And, at other times buoyed by a sure and warm, confident faith. The offering of the sacramental sacrifice while recalling the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ has always been celebrated when two or three can be present. It is right and proper that a celebration of the Eucharist should be live-streamed during this pandemic, if possible, for other members of the congregation who cannot be present.

The Church must always eschew the practices of a few high octane evangelists who ask viewers to touch their TV screens to receive a blessing or miracle. In no way should Anglicans viewing a Eucharistic celebration on a screen consume bread and wine thinking that their bread and wine is the body and blood of the Lord. That would be a corruption of sacramental theology and not be in keeping with the principle of the Church being gathered together by the Holy Spirit.

Anglicans at home in time of pandemic should be able to view through modern technology the celebration of the Eucharist live-streamed – albeit removed and separate. While sadly not being able to receive Communion, the viewer nonetheless shares in the recalling of the Lord’s death and resurrection and is helped in ‘communing’ prayerfully with the Lord.

Like many priests, I have followed the long-standing practice of taking the reserved Sacrament to hospital or home, or celebrated Eucharist for people unable to be at liturgy. Although others may or should be present, quite often only the individual receiving and myself are in the room. The lack of others present does not inhibit the Sacrament being celebrated and received.

The Archdiocese of Toronto joined with all churches in closing the doors of churches for worship.

Throughout the pandemic, Archbishop Thomas Collins has celebrated a daily Mass which is live-streamed at 7:30 in the morning and on Sundays at 10:00 am. Holy Week liturgies were live-streamed as well. The archbishop presides, assisted by one priest who reads the scriptures and assists in preparing the table. At the time of Communion, the assistant priest leads in a heartfelt prayer addressed to our Lord recognizing that “I cannot now receive you sacramentally.” The prayer welcomes Jesus, praying may “I receive you spiritually.” The prayer addresses the reality of not being able to gather physically for liturgy while affirming the presence of the Lord in sacrament, Church and the lives of his faithful.

I have viewed the celebration of Mass each day of the pandemic. And, more than just the viewing, I have been supported and fed spiritually through Word and Sacrament. Until I can be present at Eucharist, whether I be the presiding celebrant, or not, I will continue looking to be fed in the daily live-streamed Mass from St Michael’s Cathedral and in the weekly Eucharist live-streamed from the diocese of Brandon.
Fr. Ted Hales