+ WHAT INFORMATION WAS USED AS THE BASIS FOR GUIDELINES?

The recommendations follow the guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO) and public health experts. Additionally, they follow the requirements of the Catholic Church for the valid and licit celebration of Mass and of the other sacraments, respecting the very great reverence due to the worship of God and the highly symbolic elements of the liturgy.

+ WHAT LED TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THESE GUIDELINES?

Early in the pandemic a few priests (principally Frs. Legge and Scalia) and a physician (Dr. Flanigan) worked together to prepare recommendations for one diocese about how priests might make home visits in the early stages of the outbreak. As they worked together, more questions related to Catholic sacramental practice arose, and they drew together a team of doctors and health experts to offer guidance based on CDC guidelines to those who desired it.

+ WILL THESE GUIDELINES BE USED IN EVERY DIOCESE?

These guidelines are provided at the request of bishops, in order to provide recommendations in accordance with CDC guidance. They were prepared principally for bishops and those entrusted by them with responsibility for pastoral care, and are intended simply to be a resource for them. They presume that each bishop and each diocese will adapt diocesan practices to local conditions and to the directives of their own state and local public health authorities.

+ WHAT DO THESE GUIDELINES HOPE TO ACCOMPLISH?

The resumption of Catholic liturgical and sacramental life in a way that meets both the spiritual needs of Catholics while protecting physical health during this pandemic.

+ DO YOU EXPECT THESE GUIDELINES TO CHANGE?

Yes. As we move through different phases of the pandemic, the CDC and public health authorities will make different recommendations, and we plan to update the documents to reflect such changes.

+ HOW SAFE WILL IT BE TO RECEIVE HOLY COMMUNION?

According to the CDC, there is no evidence of COVID-19 transmission associated with food.

Ministers of Holy Communion are recommended to sanitize their hands before distribution of hosts.* Ministers of Holy Communion are recommended to sanitize their hands if they sense they have touched a communicant.*

+ WHAT ABOUT COMMUNION ON THE TONGUE?

We looked very carefully at this issue. The vast majority of Catholics in the U.S. receive communion in the hand. For those who desire to receive on the tongue out of reverence for Christ’s presence in the Eucharist, we recommend that there be a separate line or that they receive at the end of the line, and that the minister purify his hands with hand sanitizer after each person who receives on the tongue. The guidelines conclude that, with these precautions, this can be done without unreasonable risk.

+ WILL MASKS BE REQUIRED FOR THE FAITHFUL DURING PUBLIC MASSES?

In accordance with CDC guidelines, cloth masks are recommended during public gatherings. Some states may recommend (others may require) cloth face coverings for the faithful during Mass.

+ SHOULD THE PRIEST OR OTHER MINISTERS WEAR MASKS OR GLOVES DURING MASS?

The priest celebrant and other ministers should not wear masks or gloves during the celebration of Mass. Instead, they should remain more than 6 feet from the congregation during the entirety of the Mass. In such circumstances, there is no substantial risk of infection. The Mass is imbued with powerful sacramental and liturgical symbolism. Wearing a mask and gloves would be a detrimental counter-sign in this context, and it is not warranted by considerations of hygiene if the priest remains a proper distance from the congregation.

+ WHAT IS THE RATIONALE FOR THE USE OF CLOTH MASKS BY THE FAITHFUL DURING MASS?

1. The guidelines recommend following CDC and state/local health department guidance on the wearing of masks. Maintaining a 6-foot physical distance remains important at all times.

2. At present, the CDC recommends wearing masks in public. This applies to places like grocery and retail stores where 6-foot distancing cannot always be maintained, but where there is brief contact with others.

3. We will be in our churches for longer periods of time than the relatively brief contact in stores, and so it is reasonable to call for wearing a mask, especially since there may be circumstances where 6-foot distancing is not sufficient to prevent spread, and because evidence indicates that it is possible to contract COVID-19 from exposure to infected people who have no symptoms.

4. Wearing your mask primarily protects others from you - in case you are infected and don’t have symptoms. Those who forego a mask because they are not concerned about contracting COVID-19 may not realize that doing so could put others at risk.

5. There is good reason to believe that even a poor-quality cloth mask, if worn by most people in public settings, will reduce transmission of disease.

6. Wearing a mask also is a reminder not to touch your face.

+ WHAT IS THE RATIONALE FOR DISCOURAGING SINGING AT MASS?

1. Singing is an important dimension of liturgical worship, and so it will be painful to forgo it. Evidence indicates that it can pose a significant risk, however: Early in the pandemic, a performance-level choir held a 2.5 hour rehearsal in Mount Vernon, WA, where they sat or stood near each other while singing. One person was experiencing respiratory symptoms. In the following two weeks, 52 of 60 attendees were confirmed or suspected as COVID-19 positive.

2. Studies demonstrate that singing may project respiratory droplets and aerosols further than speaking and sometimes beyond six feet.

3. Even with cloth masks, some droplets and aerosols can get out the sides of masks, and sometimes even through them.

+ SHOULD THE FAITHFUL BRING HAND SANITIZER TO MASS?

The guidelines recommend that churches place hand sanitizer near the entrances of the church. Some dioceses are asking parishioners to bring hand sanitizer to Mass. Masks work more effectively when combined with hand hygiene.

+ WHAT MIGHT BE THE CONSEQUENCES OF NOT FOLLOWING THESE GUIDELINES?

We have the privilege of returning to Mass, and we want to maintain that privilege. Case numbers have not yet decreased significantly, and if we are not careful to prevent another increase in cases through wise public health actions, we might find ourselves restricted from Mass attendance once again.