Cancellation of all celebrations

"O Almighty God, be with us, because in the trials we have only you to support us.
O Almighty God, have mercy on us ”!

Brothers and sisters, dear diocesans,

Following the invasion of the coronavirus and in application of the directives of the federal and provincial governments to avoid gatherings because they contribute to rapprochements which increase the risk of contagion, and in connection with the Assembly of Bishops of Quebec, I am announcing as of now the cancellation of all celebrations and all public activities in the Melkite churches every day of the week, as well as all pastoral or liturgical gatherings, until further notice.

It is a painful measure, but one which expresses social solidarity to fight the virus.

Brothers and sisters, "if God is with us, who will be against us", not even this virus of misfortune, because it will be paralyzed and destroyed by the hand of God, full of goodness, love and mercy, and by his compassionate heart, full of tenderness and pity.

May God protect us and may His Holy Mother, the Virgin Mary, not forget us. Amen!

In Christ,

Ibrahim M. Ibrahim
Melkite Catholic Bishop of Canada.