The following was shared with Archdiocese of Chicago priests regarding coronavirus/COVID-19 public health concerns and our liturgical practices. Based on guidance from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Committee on Divine Worship, the following guidelines are to be implemented in all parishes within the Archdiocese of Chicago effective immediately: All priests, deacons, altar servers and extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion must wash their hands before Mass begins and use an alcohol-based, anti-bacterial solution before and after distributing Holy Communion. • Discern how to do this to best maintain the reverence of the Mass. • Ensure all vessels used at Mass, once purified, are thoroughly washed with soap and hot water after each use. During all Masses and liturgies: • Refrain from physical contact during the Sign of Peace (note: the Sign of Peace can be exchanged without physical contact) • Refrain from distribution of Holy Communion to the faithful via the chalice (please consider options for any parishioners with celiac disease or sensitivity) • Given the frequency of direct contact with saliva in the distribution of Holy Communion on the tongue, every consideration should be given by each individual to receive Holy Communion reverently in open hands for the time being. • Refrain from holding hands during the Lord’s Prayer. • Refrain from using Holy Water fonts. Faithful who are sick or are experiencing symptoms of sickness are not obliged to attend Mass, and out of charity they ought not to attend. Catechism 2181 allows for serious reasons like illness.
Virtual worshippers often satisfied, but more Americans choose in-person services In the height of the pandemic, many Americans who attended in-person worship services turned to their computers and their couches instead for virtual viewing.
Catholic groups push for greater vaccine equity domestically, worldwide COVID-19 cases are now so numerous it makes little sense to wait for a numerical milestone. In the United States, the death toll is bound to pass 1 million. Worldwide, COVID-19 deaths passed 6 million on March 7, before the second anniversary of the World Health Organization’s pandemic declaration March 11, 2020.
Pope calls for urgent ‘reality check’ against misinformation about vaccines The COVID-19 pandemic calls for an urgent reality check against baseless information and for increased efforts so everyone has access to vaccines, medicines and diagnostic tools, Pope Francis told diplomats from around the world.