Mass to resume Wednesday at Wichita Catholic churches, with coronavirus precautions
Wichita-area Roman Catholic churches will resume celebrating Mass as of Wednesday, with precautions in place to limit the spread of coronavirus, church officials have announced.
In a video message to parishioners released Sunday, Bishop Carl Kemme of the Catholic Diocese of Wichita gave the go-ahead to churches to resume public Masses “after extensive consultation with medical personnel, clergy, and community leaders.”
In response to the coronavirus COVID-19 threat, Kemme had suspended public celebration of Masses on March 17.
Only small private Masses were allowed under certain circumstances and parishioners were encouraged to participate in services online and through the Catholic cable television network EWTN.
Although live Masses can resume, Kemme said he’s extended indefinitely a special crisis dispensation allowing Catholics not to attend if they don’t feel comfortable doing so in the shadow of the coronavirus.
“I do want to emphasize that the current pandemic is far from over,” Kemme said. “Medical experts tell us that this health crisis remains a very serious threat to the lives of many people.”
He urged parishioners, especially those in high-risk groups, to wait on returning to their church.
“This is my urgent appeal to all in our Catholic Community: use extraordinary caution and good judgment in determining if you should attend Mass,” he said. “No mortal sin is committed if you decide that you and your family should not attend.”
The diocese released a lengthy set of guidelines designed to limit parishioners’ exposure to the coronavirus, which so far has infected at least 5,200 Kansans and caused 136 deaths.
Recommended safeguards include:
▪ Churches should limit occupancy to no more than 33 percent of their usual capacity.
▪ Families may sit together, but the church should maintain at least six feet of separation between groups and leave an empty row between each occupied row.
▪ Priests must wear protective facemasks when distributing communion; parishioners are strongly encouraged to wear masks except when receiving elements.
▪ Congregants are discouraged from singing during the service.
▪ Only communal bread will be provided to celebrants. Use of the communal cup remains suspended until further notice.
▪ The traditional sign of peace, expressed by shaking hands and other close contact between parishioners, is also suspended.
The guidelines remain in force until at least May 20, Kemme said.
This story was originally published May 4, 2020 at 2:36 PM with the headline "Mass to resume Wednesday at Wichita Catholic churches, with coronavirus precautions."
