Do we have Mass? Coronavirus closures and dispensations in US dioceses
Washington D.C., Mar 13, 2020 / 10:50 am (CNA).- This story is developing and will be regularly updated.
In response to the global COVID-19 pandemic, bishops across the country have taken steps to curtail the spread of the illness, and many dioceses have announced restrictions on public Mass and other liturgies.
Below is CNA’s rolling coverage of restrictions and special measures taken by dioceses, organized by province, and the status of public Masses and school closings. This list will be updated regularly as news comes in, but check with your diocese for any to-the-minute changes where you live.
*Province of Anchorage (Archdiocese of Anchorage, Dioceses of Juneau, and Fairbanks):*
There have been no ordered changes to Mass schedules due to the coronavirus within the Archdiocese of Anchorage or any of its suffragan dioceses in Alaska.
*Province of Atlanta (Archdiocese of Atlanta, Dioceses of Savannah, Charleston, Raleigh, Charlotte): *
The Archdiocese of Atlanta issued a statement saying that “People who are ill should not attend Mass, but may participate from home by watching a televised or broadcast Mass. Remind your parishioners, if they are sick or if they are the caretaker for someone who is sick, their obligation to attend Mass is dispensed.” Mass schedule remains unchanged.
Public Masses will continue as scheduled in the Dioceses of Charleston, Charlotte, Raleigh, and Savannah, but those who are sick or fearful of getting sick have been dispensed of the obligation to attend Sunday Mass.
*Province of Baltimore (Archdiocese of Baltimore, Dioceses of Wheeling-Charleston, Willmington, Richmond, Arlington): *
The Archdiocese of Baltimore closed Catholic schools from March 16-27, but Mass will continue on a normal schedule. Those who are sick or fearful of getting sick have been dispensed of the obligation to attend Sunday Mass.
The Dioceses of Arlington, Richmond, Wheeling-Charleston, and Wilmington have not canceled public Mass, although some diocesean events have been canceled or postponed.
*Province of Boston (Archdiocese of Boston, Dioceses of Burlington, Fall River, Manchester, Portland, Springfield Ma., Worcester): *
Mass will occur as scheduled throughout the Archdiocese of Boston. Cardinal Sean O’Malley has ordered other public gatherings within the archdiocese to be canceled or postponed, but made an exception for Mass as it is “a necessary source of support for the community.”
The Dioceses of Burlington, Fall River, Manchester, Portland, Springfield in Massachusetts, and Worcester will have Mass as normally scheduled, but the sick and those caring for the sick are instructed to stay home.
*Province of Chicago (Archdiocese of Chicago, Dioceses of Belleville, Jopliet, Peoria, Rockford, Springfield Ill.): *
The Archdiocese of Chicago has suspended all public liturgies and closed all archdiocesan schools “until further notice.”
*Province of Cincinnati (Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Dioceses of Cleveland, Columbus, Steubenville, Toledo, Youngstown): *
The Catholic Conference of Ohio has issued a joint statement signed by all the bishops in the state attempting to dispense all Catholics in the state of Ohio from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass for the next three weekends. The Archdiocese of Cincinnati has published the decree in the archdiocese.
*Province of Denver (Archdiocese of Denver, Dioceses of Cheyenne, Colorado Springs, Pueblo): *
The Archdiocese of Denver has canceled all “sponsored large events and all non-essential Archdiocesan activities and meetings,” but has not canceled Mass or school. Some parochial schools, especially in the city of Denver, have been closed.
The Diocese of Colorado Springs has instructed those who feel unwell to skip Mass. The Dioceses of Pueblo and Cheyenne have not published any information regarding coronavirus on their websites.
*Province of Detroit ( Archdiocese of Detroit, Dioceses of Gaylord, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Lansing, Marquette, Saginaw): *
The Archdiocese of Detroit has closed all Catholic schools from March 13 through April 6. Daily and weekend Masses will, per the archdiocesan website, continue as scheduled.
*Province of Dubuque (Archdiocese of Dubuque, Dioceses of Davenport, Des Moines, Sioux City): *
The Archdiocese of Dubuque has published no information or changes regarding COVID-19 on its website. The Dioceses of Des Moines, Davenport and Sioux City have also not published any new information.
*Province of Galveston-Houston (Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, Dioceses of Austin, Beaumont, Brownsville, Corpus Christi, Tyler, Victoria): *
The Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston issued a statement saying, “At this time when the faithful need to maintain some degree of normalcy in the midst of the current health crisis, the Archdiocese is recommending that each parish continue to maintain their regular Mass schedules for all those who wish to participate. Any parishioners who are uncomfortable about attending Sunday Mass due to the coronavirus are excused from the obligation to attend.”
*Province of Hartford (Archdiocese of Hartford, Dioceses of Bridgeport, Norwich, Providence): *
The Archdiocese of Hartford issued precautions similar to those in other archdioceses, but did not adjust Mass schedules.
The Diocese of Providence has not suspended public Masses, but said in a statement that “in light of the serious health crisis caused by the coronavirus, the Diocesan Bishop hereby dispenses Catholics in the Diocese of Providence from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass beginning immediately and continuing through Sunday, March 29, 2020.”
*Province of Indianapolis (Archdiocese of Indianapolis, Dioceses of Evansville, Fort Wayne-South Bend, Gary, Lafayette): *
The Archdiocese of Indianapolis will be celebrating Mass as scheduled, but Catholics residing within the archdiocese are dispensed from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass until further notice.
*Province of Kansas City (Archdiocese of Kansas City, Kansas, Dioceses of Dodge City, Salina, Wichita): *
The Archdiocese of Kansas City is instructing its parishioners to “don’t panic” and “be informed.” Schools are staying open and Mass will be celebrated as scheduled.
*Province of Los Angeles (Archdiocese of Los Angeles, Dioceses of Fresno, Monterey, Orange, San Bernardino, San Diego): *
The Archdiocese of Los Angeles will be keeping schools open and Mass will be celebrated as scheduled. The Archdiocese dispensed Catholics from attending Sunday Mass for the remainder of the month of March.
*Province of Louisville (Archdiocese of Louisville, Dioceses of Covington, Knoxville, Lexington, Memphis, Nashville, Owensboro): *
Masses will go on as scheduled, but those who are sick are encouraged to stay home.
*Province of Miami (Archdiocese of Miami, Dioceses of Orlando, Palm Beach, Pensacola-Tallahassee, St. Augustine, St. Petersburg, Venice): *
The Archdiocese of Miami has not canceled Mass or closed schools, but has encouraged those planning on traveling abroad for spring break to make other plans.
*Province of Milwaukee (Archdiocese of Milwaukee, Dioceses of Green Bay, La Crosse, Madison, Superior):*
Mass will continue to be celebrated in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, but all Catholics are dispensed from the obligation to attend Mass for the next three Sundays.
*Province of Mobile (Archdiocese of Mobile, Dioceses of Biloxi, Birmingham, Jackson):*
The Archdiocese of Mobile and the Diocese of Jackson have dispensed anyone with a serious underlying medical condition from attending Mass “for the foreseeable future.”
The Diocese of Biloxi has not changed Mass schedules.
*Province of New Orleans (Archdiocese of New Orleans, Dioceses of Alexandria La., Baton Rouge, Houma-Thibodaux, Lafayette La., Lake Charles, Shreveport): *
Many archdiocesan events have been canceled or postponed in the Archdiocese of New Orleans, and some fish fries are going to “take-out only” Mass will be said and schools remain open.
*Province of New York Archdiocese of New York, Dioceses of Albany, Brooklyn, Buffalo, Ogdensburg, Rochester, Rockville Centre, Syracuse): *
Elementary schools in the Archdiocese of New York are closed. Masses will continue to be celebrated.
The Diocese of Brooklyn encouraged Catholics not feeling well to stay home from Sunday Mass.
The Diocese of Albany suspended the Sunday obligation for all Catholics.
*Province of Newark (Archdiocese of Newark, Dioceses of Camden, Metuchen, Paterson, Trenton): *
Sunday Masses in the Archdiocese of Newark have been suspended. The faithful of Newark are dispensed from the obligation to attend.
*Province of Oklahoma City (Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, Dioceses of Little Rock, Tulsa) : *
The Archdiocese of Oklahoma City will not be changing Mass schedules or closing schools.
The Diocese of Little Rock will suspend all public Masses from the weekend of March 21-22, “except for small groups at the discretion of the priest.” Churches will remain open during daylight hours with Eucharistic Adoration.
*Province of Omaha (Archdiocese of Omaha, Dioceses of Grand Island, Lincoln): *
The Archdiocese of Omaha is encouraging parishes to cancel fish fries, and those who are sick are instructed to stay home.
*Province of Philadelphia (Archdiocese of Philadelphia, Dioceses of Allentown, Altoona-Johnstown, Erie, Greensburg, Harrisburg, Pittsburgh, Scranton): *
The bishops of Pennsylvania have dispensed all Catholics in the state from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass. Fish fries in the Diocese of Pittsburgh will shift to “take-out” only.
*Province of Portland in Oregon (Archdiocese of Portland, Dioceses of Baker, Boise, GreatFalls-Billings, Helena): *
The Archdiocese of Oregon issued a statement saying that “a general dispensation is offered to anyone else in the Archdiocese of Portland who sincerely and seriously think they might be at risk. This dispensation may be used by anyone of any age.” This dispensation will remain in effect until April 8.
*Province of St. Louis (Archdiocese of St. Louis, Dioceses of Jefferson City, Kansas City-St. Joseph, Springfield-Cape Girardeau):*
The Archdiocese of St. Louis has not suspended public Masses, but encourages those who are sick to remain at home.
*Province of St. Paul and Minneapolis (Archdiocese of St. Paul-Minneapolis, Dioceses of Bismarck, Crookston, Duluth, Fargo, New Ulm, Rapid City, Saint Cloud, Sioux Falls, Winona): *
The Archdiocese of St. Paul-Minneapolis issued a statement saying “Archbishop Hebda has dispensed the faithful of this Archdiocese from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass. Mass will, however, continue to be celebrated in our parishes as regularly scheduled.”
*Province of San Antonio (Archdiocese of San Antonio, Dioceses of Amarillo, Dallas, El Paso, Fort Worth, Laredo, Lubbock, San Angelo): *
Classes at Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of San Antonio will resume on March 16. Mass will continue to be celebrated.
*Province of San Francisco (Archdiocese of San Francisco, Dioceses of Honolulu, Las Vegas, Oakland, Reno, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, San Jose, Santa Rosa, Stockton): *
The Archdiocese of San Francisco will close all schools for a period of two weeks. Mass will be celebrated per usual.
The Diocese of Honolulu announced that Mass will not be canceled, and the elderly, if they desire to attend Mass, should be permitted to do so. The Diocese of Honolulu did, however, suspend the traditional practice of kissing the cross on Good Friday.
*Province of Santa Fe (Archdiocese of Santa Fe, Dioceses of Gallup, Las Cruces, Phoenix, and Tucson): *
All churches and schools are closed in the Archdiocese of Santa Fe until further notice.
The Diocese of Phoenix will have regularly scheduled Mass, but the sick are encouraged to stay home. *Province of Seattle (Archdiocese of Seattle, Dioceses of Spokane, Yakima): *
The Archdiocese of Seattle has canceled all public Masses and closed Catholic schools.
*Province of Washington (Archdiocese of Washington, Diocese of St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands: *
All Catholic schools are closed and the celebration of public Masses has been suspended in the Archdiocese of Washington. The National Shrine of the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception remains open.