Ten Catholic churches in western Quebec will be without Sunday mass this September because of a shortage of priests. In a letter to parishioners published on Thursday, Bishop of Pembroke Michael Brehl said that two priests serving in the central and lower Pontiac region are no longer available for ministry. One, Father Michael Goring, is on health leave and the other, Father Kakule Christian, left the diocese on Wednesday. Brehl says retired priests and priests from other areas have stepped up to conduct mass through the month of August, but this solution is not sustainable. “We are very grateful to both the priests and lay collaborators who have made this possible. However, with the beginning of September and the full schedule which will engage all the active priests, it will no longer be possible to count on their generous assistance,” Brehl wrote. As a result, Brehl said Sunday mass will be temporarily suspended at the following churches starting in September: Mass will be able to continue at St. Alphonsus Church in Chapeau, Église St-Pierre in Fort Coulonge, St. John the Evangelist Church in Campbell’s Bay, and Holy Name of Mary Church in Quyon. Brehl stressed that the affected churches are not closing. “This is an interim schedule while we continue the consultation necessary. We urge parishioners to continue to attend and participate in the Sunday Mass in their ‘cluster,’ to use their parish envelopes to support their parish, and to participate in the consultation process as we prepare a long-term proposal to be presented to the Diocese and to the Bishop,” Brehl wrote. Brehl said the priests who will be appointed to provide the pastoral care of all 14 parish communities will be announced as soon as possible.
