Oklahoma Episcopal churches require masks
Another Oklahoma faith group is requiring that masks be worn during worship and other church activities.
In a letter to the Episcopal Diocese of Oklahoma on Tuesday, the Rt. Rev. Ed Konieczny and t he Rt. Rev. Poulson C. Reed said masks previously had been strongly encouraged and only required in certain circumstances, like when a priest gave Holy Communion.
The Episcopal bishops said the personal protection equipment is now a requirement.
“Given our changing circumstances, we are now requiring masks for all clergy, attendees, staff, and volunteers at in-person worship and church gatherings until further notice, for anyone age 6 or older.
We hope this precaution will enable us to continue offering in-person worship in those congregations that have chosen to do so,” the bishops said in their “Worship Guidelines Update” for the diocese.
Konieczny and Reed said they had been keeping an eye on the latest coronavirus numbers in Oklahoma and noted that the number of COVID-19 cases “has increased dramatically” and civic and religious leaders have begun to add stricter measures to slow the virus — in particular requiring that face coverings be worn in public. The religious leaders pointed out that the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Oklahoma City recently began requiring masks or other face coverings be worn by ordained and lay people at worship and church events.
Tuesday evening, Reed said the Episcopal letter helped explain the premise behind the new requirement.
“By wearing masks, we can help protect not only ourselves but others, especially the most vulnerable among us,” he said.
The diocese includes 70 Episcopal churches across the state.
The Most Rev. Paul S. Coakley, archbishop of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, announced the mask requirement for the Catholic archdiocese on July 9. The mandate went into effect on July 11.