Belleville Diocese temporarily suspending Catholic Masses due to coronavirus outbreak
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The Belleville Diocese is temporarily suspending Masses during the coronavirus outbreak.
Bishop Edward K. Braxton will send an announcement to parishioners Wednesday explaining the decision, according to Diocese spokesman John Myler.
“Effective immediately, all Masses and liturgical services are temporarily suspended in the Diocese of Belleville,” Myler said in an email to the Belleville News-Democrat. “Bishop Edward K. Braxton will share by letter on Wednesday further details.”
Last week, the diocese was asking only that those who were sick or have compromised immune systems to skip church services.
Since then, schools, restaurants and bars have closed to the public to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the coronavirus respiratory disease, through large gatherings of people.
The Archdiocese of St. Louis has also suspended public masses in response to the illness.
This story was originally published March 17, 2020 at 5:39 PM.
