Windsor County pastor fighting Vermont Catholic Diocese’s Covid precautions
A Windsor County pastor is fighting a Vermont Roman Catholic Diocese call for Covid-19 vaccinations, masks and other pandemic precautions for the state’s largest religious denomination.
“Being more of the ilk of a patriot,” the Rev. Peter Williams said in a recent YouTube video, “I balk at any incursion into my rights as a human being and certainly a U.S. citizen.”
Vermont Catholic Bishop Christopher Coyne has asked all clergy to get vaccinated or, if not, wear a mask and undergo regular testing to curb the transmission of the coronavirus.
“Because he made it a matter of honor and obedience, I quickly responded to him saying that I would not,” said Williams, who heads the combined Holy Family Parish of St. Mary’s in Springfield and St. Joseph’s in neighboring Chester. “He got back to me and said that I had 14 days to comply or he would suspend me.”
Williams, in turn, has hired a lawyer.
“I have no intention of resigning as pastor, because that is my job,” said the priest, who has led his parish since 2003.
Calls to the Holy Family Parish office went unanswered Monday. But Williams, in his video, said the diocese wasn’t the only entity he was defying.
“I learned that my family had joined with the bishop,” he said, “in advancing the case that I was seriously ill and my liver function was failing and that had severely impacted my mental capacities.”
Williams, age 61, disputed that.
“I am in very good health,” the priest said. “I’ve managed to lose some weight and to exercise more regularly, because I know that has tremendous effects on boosting our immune system.”
Organizations ranging from the World Health Organization to the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have stressed the need for vaccinations, masks and physical distancing.
The Vermont diocese, for its part, released a statement Monday.
“The present pastoral situation in Springfield is a sad and difficult situation that Bishop Coyne is addressing with care for all concerned,” the release said. “In order to protect the good name and reputation of all involved, he does not choose to speak to the content of the video.”
“The No. 1 priority of the Diocese of Burlington,” its statement concluded, “is to offer the sacraments and the fullness of parish life to the Catholic community in a safe environment that protects the health and well-being of our priests and parishioners.”
The 10-minute “A Personal Message from Father Peter Williams” video has logged more than 1,800 views — almost five times the average 400 views for most Holy Family Mass broadcasts on its YouTube channel.
The resulting three dozen comments as of Monday reflected a divided response.
“Thank you for your honesty and sincerity,” wrote a commenter identified as wfs2email. “The bishop’s decree makes me wonder if eventually all parishioners will likewise be subject to the same edict or be excommunicated.”
“The truly vulnerable should stay home during the winter respiratory season,” wrote another named Dragonfly. “I take great joy in seeing the fresh, joyful faces of unmasked children and young families at weekly Mass.”
But others have expressed concern.
“In my upbringing, a patriot is someone who puts him or herself on the line for the safety and protection of his neighbors, country, and loved ones,” said a commenter identified as Linda M. “This is sad at best and will continue to divide the congregation that I so love because an individual doesn’t want to follow what is being asked for the good of the many. This is not about one person, but all of us.”
“I don’t want to speak for the diocese, but it appears they feel that there is a global pandemic where over 800,000 citizens in our country have perished in a two-year period,” added a writer named SMT1948. “It is conceivable that is the diocese’s way of helping all parishioners, not just the healthy and robust. Indeed, this is Jesus’ teachings, and yes, it takes sacrifice from everyone.”
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