UPDATED: 24 November
In response to some inquiries and some rumors, Archbishop has asked us pastors to let our parishioners know that he has no intention of suspending public Masses. He has shared with his priests a letter he sent to one of the faithful (below). Here in our region, we are continuing to follow all Covid protocols in the celebration of Mass and will continue to celebrate daily and Sunday Masses as well as Christmas Masses.
As a reminder however, it is temporarily not obligatory to attend Sunday Mass. Until that obligation is restored, parishioners should feel free to use their own judgment about the risk and as always stay home if there are any symptoms of any contagious illness.
Here's that letter from the Archbishop.
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Dear ______________,
Thank you for your recent letter. Unlike governors in some states, Governor DeWine has
never asked the Catholic Bishops of Ohio to lock churches or discontinue the public celebration of
Mass. He has kept the Bishops apprised of the seriousness of this pandemic in the State of Ohio,
and we have instructed our people to comply with the Governor’s mandate to wear masks and
practice social distancing. Compliance with the mandate is an expression of love and concern for
the health and well-being of our neighbor.
In March, the Bishops of Ohio did suspend the public celebration of Mass, but this was
OUR decision because so little was known about the virus at that time – its spread, its contagion,
etc. Once the Bishops, and the public in general, had a better grasp of the data, the Bishops
reopened the churches for the public celebration of Mass.
The dispensation from the Sunday obligation remains in place, and the Bishops have encouraged Catholics to attend Mass on any day of the week when the mandate for social distancing (along with wearing a mask) can be followed.
Even though the virus is spiking once again in the State of Ohio, the Bishops have no
intention of suspending the public celebration of Mass as we did in March. In the last months,
much has been learned about the spread of the virus and what cautions can be taken to curtail the
spread. As long as the guidance of public health offices is followed – wear masks, social distance,
sanitize hands and churches on a regular basis, maximize fresh air exchange within buildings, etc.
– the Bishops of Ohio are of the opinion that public Masses can continue to be celebrated. We
must be concerned about both the spiritual and physical health of our people.
With prayerful best wishes, I am
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Archbishop Schnurr
