Police in Western Australia are facing backlash after an officer interrupted mass to check that people were wearing masks in church and enforce compliance with the local mask mandate.
Following a tip about mask-less worshipers, police entered St. Bernadette’s Glendalough Catholic Church in the Perth suburb of Mount Hawthorn last Thursday evening. The priest, who was in the middle of the liturgy, watched as the officer instructed four parishioners to put on face coverings. A fifth person without a mask showed an exemption letter.
Masks in Church: ‘Everyone Was Pretty Stunned’
On social media, shocked worshipers shared photos and videos, expressing dismay at what they call an unfair intrusion. One writes: “A policeman allowed himself in, strutting up the aisle demanding correct mask behavior and checking exemptions. Where have we seen this behavior before in history?” Another writes: “This is an appalling abuse of power.”