Posted on 03/12/2020 10:27:34 AM PDT by ebb tide
Kentucky’s Governor Andy Beshear on Wednesday encouraged churches to cancel their services in fear of the spreading coronavirus. The Catholic archdiocese in the state does not plan to cancel Masses this Sunday.
On March 11, the governor announced that the eight patients with COVID-19 in the state were “stable and doing well” but stressed that the number of infected will likely increase.
“That number is expected to grow,” Beshear said, WDRB reported. “We expect to see more cases. We are prepared to see more cases.”
According to the Archdiocese of Louisville, the state’s bishops have been in contact with the Department of Health and Wellness and discussed prevention methods with each other and local pastors. However, Archbishop Joseph Kurtz said he will not cancel Masses.
“With the information I have now, I will not be calling for a diocesan-wide cancellation of daily or weekend Masses,” said Kurtz, in a letter to parish priests.
“We will ask pastors to encourage those who are ill or have symptoms to stay home as an act of Christian charity for their fellow parishioners. … Pastors will be asked to publicize times for Mass of the Air, which is available through a variety of platforms around the Archdiocese,” said an archdiocesan statement.
The statement emphasized the importance of the Eucharist to parishioners and the Church, especially during times of difficulty. It said, though, parishioners who feel vulnerable and afraid may exercise individual discretion.
“The Sunday celebration of the Eucharist is at the center of the life of the Church. Perhaps especially in difficult times, liturgical gatherings are a source of comfort and hope for the faithful, as well as an opportunity to offer our prayers to God for those who are suffering or who cannot be with us,” the statement read.
“We want individuals who feel vulnerable, especially senior citizens or those with underlying health conditions, to know that they are not obligated to attend Sunday Mass.”
While Masses have not been canceled, numerous Kentucky dioceses have issued prevention steps and other health measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus, which has infected over 120,000 people and claimed 4,585 lives as of March 11, World O Meters reported.
“The Catholic Church has people of all ages and backgrounds in our care. It’s especially critical in the event of a public health emergency that we strive to be good neighbors and institute responsible measures that protect our faith communities, schools, the personnel who serve in our institutions and the people served by them,” said Bishop Stowe of Lexington, according to a diocesan statement.
If anyone does manifest COVID-19 symptoms, which include fever, cough, and difficulty breathing, the three Kentucky dioceses have reminded parishioners that they are excluded from Sunday obligatory Mass and asked them to stay home.
According to the Archdiocese of Louisville, Mass will be broadcast on local faith and news channels.
Around the world, dioceses have responded differently to the coronavirus pandemic.
Masses across Italy are cancelled and churches are closed, in compliance with a mandate of the Italian government. Most dioceses in Japan have canceled Masses. The president of Polish Bishops’ conference has encouraged more Masses in his country. Archbishop Stanisław Gądecki of Poznań said there should be more Sunday Masses, so that services will be less crowded and parishioners will be able sit farther apart from one another.
“In connection with the recommendations of the Chief Sanitary Inspector that there should be no large gatherings of people, I ask to increase – as far as possible – the number of Sunday Masses in churches so that a number of believers can attend the liturgy … according to the guidelines of the sanitary services,” Archbishop Stanisław Gądecki of Poznań wrote in a statement sent March 10 to CNA.
Ping
Sounds pretty irresponsible to me.
Yeah that might not apply to any normal person during an epidemic :-)
God never asks us to be idiots nor does it say in the Bible that any Temple somehow shields one from the physical illnesses or injuries of this world.
The silliness people worry about during an epidemic amazes me.
I think God would be wondering why we didn’t use the brains he gave us in this situation.
“Sounds pretty irresponsible to me.”
Faith often does.
“God never asks us to be idiots nor does it say in the Bible that any Temple somehow shields one from the physical illnesses or injuries of this world.”
Masses should continue. They should just have few people at them. Masses should never stop really.
Maybe in your universe.
Makes sense, common sense.
How about:
1) offer shorter, more frequent masses to smaller groups, with family groups spaced apart from each other in the pews
2) receive dispensation so that the communion host can be served without direct contact from the Priest’s hand.
I go to mass everyday
What I have done is stop taking Eucharist until this subsides
SERIOUSLY.. the HOLY EUCHARIST IS WHY YOU GO TO MASS!!!
I know but I won’t for now
I could almost GUARANTEE you WILL NOT GET SICK TAKING JESUS’S BODY AND BLOOD!!! OMG!!!
Oh, BS. Those who don’t want to go to mass don’t have to go to mass. Is this Nation so dependent upon their loser leaders that they can’t even tie their own shoes without some anointed ruler to tell them when and how?
I guess if you don’t care about anyone but yourself that makes sense.
Ok,
I must tell you that your reply seems to lack relevancy to my statement.
**However, Archbishop Joseph Kurtz said he will not cancel Masses.**
This Archbishop has a spine!
Think harder you’ll figure it out.
Do you run out into oncoming traffic?
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