A Catholic Mass in Perth, Australia, was disrupted when police officers stormed in to check if congregants were wearing masks. The authorities interrupted the liturgy after receiving tips about improper mask behavior in St. Bernadette’s Catholic Church, in Mount Hawthorn.
The incident
The city of Perth has very strict COVID-19 regulations, which require masks to be worn at all indoor public events. A photograph circulating among news outlets shows the officer in question standing in the nave to check the details of the parishioners.
Patrick Horneman, who took the photo, wrote in the caption:
According to The West Australian, police found five unmasked people in the pews and only one had proof of an exemption. After briefly speaking with the “offenders” the police reportedly left the church and the Mass continued. Still, the encounter was described by some parishioners as “troubling” and “confronting”.
In an interview with Perth Now, a parishioner identified as Matthew recalled the reaction of the congregation:
Police statement
The authorities have yet to issue a formal apology to members of St. Bernadette’s. Instead, they have released a statement which seems to attempt to justify the move. Perth Police said:
Archdiocese of Perth
The Catholic Archdiocese of Perth has called the incident “highly regrettable.” According to 7News, Archbishop Tim Costelloe remarked:
