Bridgeport Diocese to soon allow weekday Masses.
BRIDGEPORT — The Diocese of Bridgeport announced Friday that churches will be able to resume celebrating Masses indoors on weekdays next month, stepping toward normalcy amid the coronavirus pandemic.
In a letter posted on the diocese’s website, Bishop Frank J. Caggiano said parishes can begin celebrating indoor Masses, including funerals and weddings, on June 13.
This is the second phase of the reopening process, Caggiano said.
On May 21, the diocese began offering outdoor Masses, which have “gone very well, with a growing number of parishes now offering outside Mass both seated and in parking lots.
“These Masses have been offered in a manner that health officials consider the safest ways in which to congregate by practicing social distancing, and the same policies will be in effect as we begin to celebrate Mass within our churches’ buildings,” Caggiano said.
“While the challenges are considerable when congregating in an indoor location, we are confident that by following public health recommendations, we can come together for Mass in a manner that is as safe or safer than in other public gatherings.”
Caggiano said he would continue the dispensation of the obligation to attend Sunday Mass “for all those who are vulnerable or concerned about their health or the health of loved ones,” urging churches to continue streaming services online.
He said services will be held with strict social-distancing policies and a requirement to wear masks, among other safety measures, and urged churches to adjust their seating capacities so the gatherings can be held safely.
“To do otherwise would be to potentially put one’s neighbor into harm’s way — a danger that we must avoid in order to remain faithful to our fundamental Catholic belief in the sanctity of every human life,” said Caggiano.
Churches will be permitted to continue offering services outdoors, Caggiano said.
He thanked churchgoers for their patience and prayers “during this unprecedented moment in our history,” and asked people to move forward in keeping with the faith.
“As we take this next step with great anticipation, let us remember that our common sacrifice has had one prime motive: to follow the mandate of the Lord of Life to protect, defend, and keep safe every human life.
“We best honor that commitment to life and those who have lost their lives in the pandemic by ensuring the safety of our neighbors,” Caggiano said.
“To be certain we face many challenges as a church and a society in the coming months, but as we gather around the Lord’s table together, we can take assurance that the Eucharist will sustain us.”
The complete letter is available for public consideration at bridgeportdiocese.org. “Extensive” guidelines to help churches hold services will be posted to the website on June 1, Caggiano said.
The Archdiocese of Hartford previously announced that weekday Masses could resume in their communities on June 8, with the dispensation from Sunday Mass extended into September.