Bishop allows Catholic churches to reopen in Southern Illinois after COVID-19 shutdown
Most Catholic churches in Southern Illinois are expected to reopen for Mass this weekend after being closed for more than two months due to the coronavirus shutdown.
Bishop Edward K. Braxton of the Catholic Diocese of Belleville sent a letter to priests, deacons and members of parish reopening teams on Wednesday, giving his blessing to those who want to hold services and feel they are adequately prepared.
The bishop, who will be retiring in July, directed churches to follow guidelines in the state’s Restore Illinois plan for restarting the economy.
“Governor Pritzker suggests limiting attendance to 25% of building capacity, or a maximum of 100 attendees, whichever is lower,” he wrote. “The 6-foot social distancing rule still applies as does frequent hand sanitization. Masks will be required in the church before, during and after the celebration of the Eucharist.”
Braxton acknowledged that some parishes aren’t ready to reopen and asked church leaders to “act out of an abundance of caution” because of the seriousness of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Do not rush to reopen if you are not truly prepared,” he wrote. “Move at your own pace. Be sure that all safety precautions have been taken. Make certain that volunteers have all been well-trained. Double check your supplies; everything should be available before church doors open. Please take your time and be vigilant in following carefully all of the guidelines that I have sent you.”
The Belleville diocese has about 70,000 parishioners in 101 parishes, many of which have been live-streaming Masses on Facebook since March 21, when Pritzker’s stay-at-home executive order took effect to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
Most Catholic churches in Southern Illinois seem ready to reopen this weekend, according to Monsignor John T. Myler, diocesan spokesman, although some will hold services in parking lots.
The Cathedral of St. Peter, where Myler is rector, will allow people inside its 1,400-seat sanctuary in downtown Belleville. Leaders will close the south nave and seat people in the north nave, roping off every other pew to follow the 25% capacity rule.
“There will be big signs that say, first of all, welcome, and if you are ill or have a temperature, please pray with us at home,” Myler said. “You must wear a mask. You must hand-sanitize upon entrance.”
All denominations in Illinois are working to determine when and how to reopen churches now that Pritzker has loosened restrictions.
Braxton’s letter on Wednesday signals a move to Phase 2 of a plan that bishops on the Catholic Conference of Illinois board developed in mid-May for a phased reopening of its churches.
“The information provided by the Illinois Department of Public Health continues to suggest that the safest approach for the celebration of the Eucharist is to provide livestream Masses,” he wrote. “That is the only way to guarantee that churches will not become sources of infection.
“However, if the safety procedures provided in the Sacramental Guidelines in the Parish Reopening Plan are strictly adhered to, and parishes have completed the necessary preparations to receive the faithful back into the church, parishes may begin the regular celebration of the Eucharist this weekend, June 6-7.”
In his letter, Braxton also asked reopening teams and other church leaders to:
- Distribute Parishioner Reopening Guides with tips on what people should do before they arrive at church, what to expect when they get there and how to proceed during and after Mass.
- Look into apps that are available for ticket or reservation systems, but to make sure people who don’t have computers or cellphones can participate and those concerned about immigration status need only provide their names.
- Post social distancing posters at locations throughout the church, including front entrances, bathrooms, exits and bulletin boards.
- Consult the diocese’s Physical Space Planning and Parishioner Movement Guides to determine how to mark pews and floors and give directions to ushers and greeters so they can provide clear guidance as people enter and exit churches.
“Unfortunately, at this time and probably into the near future, people will no longer be able to seat themselves, leave their pews for the Communion Procession on their own, or exit the church without direction,” Braxton wrote. “There should be only one entrance in which people arrive and one exit to leave. This can be a sensitive issue for some people. Patience and a spirit of cooperation will be required by all.”
This story was originally published June 3, 2020 at 12:34 PM.
